Youth Sports

Our third grader had the opportunity to play in a 3 on 3 basketball tournement this past weekend. This was a first for her and I. A couple of weeks ago we contacted three of her friends and assembled our team. We practiced two nights in our elementary school gym. The three other fathers and I passed on our wisdom of how to play basketball.
My goal was to make this a fun event while at the same time making sure the girls were able to pass, dribble and shoot.

For the most part the girls were extremely focused. They wanted to figure out signals and run a play. The dads showed them the old "Give and Go". One of the unique things about the format of this tournement was no parental coaching would be allowed during the games. The girls had to appoint a captain and also handle the game substitutions. The girls worked hard and allowed their competitive spirits to shine. The girls tactually wanted to run "touch and go's" at the end of the first practice. The dads were proud.

Finally the big day arrived. We found out we were the only third grade team and we would be playing two fourth grade teams. The girls were nervouse, the dads were nervous. The dads put together our best Knute Rockne speaches about working hard and having fun. Just do your best and the game would take care of itself.

The girls won one game and lost three. Hoever, two of the losses were very close and could have gone either way. Our team ended up in second place! The girls each won a trophy. Judging by the reaction on their faces you would have thought it was the NCAA Championship! The dads were extremely proud.

My daughter loves sports and is very driven for a third grader. I often ask myself am I pushing to hard and expecting to much. I make every effort to talk and listen to her and make sure she is smiling. I also make sure that the sports do not interfere with school. She knows school comes first and if grades change sports go away. I am happy that she is active and physically fit. So far so good. The sports connection is also a way for her and I to maintain our special bond that we have shared since birth. I am hoping that the sports link will keep us together during the upcomming difficult years.