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This past few years the media has come up with some dandies to express themselves so the audience would respond with "Gotta listen to this " or Gotta read that". I try to leave the rants I have off my writings but can't get this off my mind.
In the late 90's they came up with everything being an event. I've attended many gatherings that would be considered an event. The media decided an event was anything that happened. A windy day, car wrecks, copy machine ran out of ink, stuff like that. But when they called a full moon an event, I about lost it. They not only made a big deal of having a full moon, they called it a LUNAR EVENT. Holy cow, shut er down, we gotta see this. From the ground looking up we see 12 to 13 full moons a year. Hardly a big deal when ya add them up thru life. They are beautiful though.
Another word that was abused this past decade was MENTOR. Growing up it came to me that someone really special only deserved that honor. All of a sudden, everyone's a mentor. Sure it's nice to donate time and teach, take a person under their wing but to call them all a mentor is out of line. It took the true meaning out of something very special.
This is a lead up to one phrase that creeped up the last couple years.
"A WORK IN PROGRESS"
I've noticed if a team losses by 7 runs, 30 points or 3 touchdowns, you recieve the title of being a work in progress. That's sad. What happened to the reasons why they may have lost. A coach may say this while being interviewed not wanting to ellaborate on the teams effort. Could be a nice way to tell the reporter get away from me. As often as it is used now, I don't continue reading the article or pay attention to the tube. Maybe I enjoy what future plans a coach might have to improve the team. Every team will lose sometime or another. Some play against tough competition or entered a league beyond skill level. I just like that everyone at the middle school or high school is trying their best to play to their full potential. That's all any coach or anyone should ask for.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
The Season is Here
Most fans, players, parents and coaches can't wait for this time of year. Basketball Season is to live for. Right now it's raining with the wind blowing hard making indoors the place to be. Nothing like being inside a gym during these conditions. Excited to see happy people dressed warm cheering for their teams. Chili Dogs, nachos and real salty pop corn in the air. I can skip a hot dog at a game,but chili dogs get me every time. Gotta have one.
Here in Eureka, middle school girls basketball season is over. I attended over a dozen of those games. Looks to be a few stars in the making.
My son is in the 7th grade and his team has been practicing every day. Next week is a practice game and following week begins league. Can't wait.
Already, I've seen a couple Men's and Women's games at Humboldt State University and a game apiece at College of the Redwoods. Caught a few JV Girls games at local high schools, some boys Varsity Tournaments and a little bit of girls varsity games. It's been busy driving from gym to gym. Hectic but fun.
I devote most my time watching JV girls play at the moment, that's the level of basketball I'll be coaching in 2010. The Humbolts Team will resume the last week of February playing local and traveling as an AAU Club.
Yes, I admit, I've been scouting my own players. Liking what I see for the most part there are some areas needing to be addressed. New offenses are in place that can be confusing to some. That will come along. Basic fundamentals have been lacking a little and I'm hoping as the season can progress, they work out those kinks. Watching some of the other teams are the same. A little time everyone will begin to jell, I'm sure. Been some stars too, many recieving MVP and All Tourney Awards.
Last year I assisted with my son's 6th grade team and we put together an AAU club for 10 games locally. I'm considering doing it again for the local league only.
With the girls, I have one concern. This will be the year some of the players get drivers licences. I worry about that. In the past I lost players to the independance of driving. Some will want jobs.
Some will take on too much to make room for AAU basketball. It's at this point when a player makes the big decision. The first drivers licence brings along that false sense of maturity.
You know what I mean..."Bye Mom, I'm off to live my life...back at 11." As a teenager I abused my option to drive. Came home late. Any excuse is a lame one when operating something that gives you the sense of freedom. The car becomes worthless when your keys are grounded.
I've got a pretty level headed bunch. We'll have a team regardless.
SEE YA ALL AT THE GAMES.
Here in Eureka, middle school girls basketball season is over. I attended over a dozen of those games. Looks to be a few stars in the making.
My son is in the 7th grade and his team has been practicing every day. Next week is a practice game and following week begins league. Can't wait.
Already, I've seen a couple Men's and Women's games at Humboldt State University and a game apiece at College of the Redwoods. Caught a few JV Girls games at local high schools, some boys Varsity Tournaments and a little bit of girls varsity games. It's been busy driving from gym to gym. Hectic but fun.
I devote most my time watching JV girls play at the moment, that's the level of basketball I'll be coaching in 2010. The Humbolts Team will resume the last week of February playing local and traveling as an AAU Club.
Yes, I admit, I've been scouting my own players. Liking what I see for the most part there are some areas needing to be addressed. New offenses are in place that can be confusing to some. That will come along. Basic fundamentals have been lacking a little and I'm hoping as the season can progress, they work out those kinks. Watching some of the other teams are the same. A little time everyone will begin to jell, I'm sure. Been some stars too, many recieving MVP and All Tourney Awards.
Last year I assisted with my son's 6th grade team and we put together an AAU club for 10 games locally. I'm considering doing it again for the local league only.
With the girls, I have one concern. This will be the year some of the players get drivers licences. I worry about that. In the past I lost players to the independance of driving. Some will want jobs.
Some will take on too much to make room for AAU basketball. It's at this point when a player makes the big decision. The first drivers licence brings along that false sense of maturity.
You know what I mean..."Bye Mom, I'm off to live my life...back at 11." As a teenager I abused my option to drive. Came home late. Any excuse is a lame one when operating something that gives you the sense of freedom. The car becomes worthless when your keys are grounded.
I've got a pretty level headed bunch. We'll have a team regardless.
SEE YA ALL AT THE GAMES.
Dream vs. Reality
There is nothing wrong with having a dream. Many players consider themselves to be better than they are. Years ago I sat with a junior college coach at a sections championship game and asked if any of these players would be playing for him in the following season. He said at this moment the boys on the floor feel they are all D-1 caliber. We'll get the ones that face reality. Of course that takes some time.
Having goals are good to have and I encourage them. Being a student athlete is a huge responsibility. Some students are ready for the full load, some are not. You are no longer pushed by your parents to do homework or study. The player is basically treated as an adult and doing assignments, arriveing to classes and practices on time is crucial for success. If the player needed to be pushed to do homework in class or on the court a junior college may be a preferable choice.
The workload for some can be overwhelming especially if the high school councellor helped miss manage the goals needed to pursue the next level. I'm not saying that councellors are bad, just once in a while I've witnessed some poor advice. Parents should be involved with the suggestions to help meet the goals of the high school student athlete.
Some colleges have mandatory study halls for student athletes. That's a good choice for the player that on occasion had trouble making a grade, term paper or finals. Workload and solid work ethic go hand in hand.
What about the players that could not perform certain critiera demanded by college ball. Hustle in college is a whole other animal. Players considered to play need to dribble with both hands, shoot with two hands, pass well and perform triple threat skills. I've seen players who have played only zone defense. Post players who can only play around the block, some have no pivot. Regardless of skill level, there is a campus for everyone.
What I'm getting at is there is nothing wrong with going to a Junior College. Those who don't respect that, I've noticed are the ones who haven't attended any college at all.
Worst agenda I've found for disaster was a student did not want to go to a particular school because..."That town sucks!" I've heard this a few times. My answer was are you going to attend a college to learn or party. It turned out those particular students have quit teams or classes, not finishing semesters.
My thoughts are...Get a solid education.
Having goals are good to have and I encourage them. Being a student athlete is a huge responsibility. Some students are ready for the full load, some are not. You are no longer pushed by your parents to do homework or study. The player is basically treated as an adult and doing assignments, arriveing to classes and practices on time is crucial for success. If the player needed to be pushed to do homework in class or on the court a junior college may be a preferable choice.
The workload for some can be overwhelming especially if the high school councellor helped miss manage the goals needed to pursue the next level. I'm not saying that councellors are bad, just once in a while I've witnessed some poor advice. Parents should be involved with the suggestions to help meet the goals of the high school student athlete.
Some colleges have mandatory study halls for student athletes. That's a good choice for the player that on occasion had trouble making a grade, term paper or finals. Workload and solid work ethic go hand in hand.
What about the players that could not perform certain critiera demanded by college ball. Hustle in college is a whole other animal. Players considered to play need to dribble with both hands, shoot with two hands, pass well and perform triple threat skills. I've seen players who have played only zone defense. Post players who can only play around the block, some have no pivot. Regardless of skill level, there is a campus for everyone.
What I'm getting at is there is nothing wrong with going to a Junior College. Those who don't respect that, I've noticed are the ones who haven't attended any college at all.
Worst agenda I've found for disaster was a student did not want to go to a particular school because..."That town sucks!" I've heard this a few times. My answer was are you going to attend a college to learn or party. It turned out those particular students have quit teams or classes, not finishing semesters.
My thoughts are...Get a solid education.
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