Joy III

The JOY bubbles made an appearance tonight.

For the first time I attended my 5 year-old grandson’s basketball practice.  If you think watching 5 year olds play soccer is fun, you should see them at basketball!!  It is mass chaos. 

You know, you have to appreciate the coaches.  I would never have the patience.  While the coach is trying to teach basic skills and game fundamentals the kids are every which way but looking at him. 

Alex does pretty well.  He can dribble well and when you can hold his attention for 10 seconds he does get what the coach is saying.  One drill, only he did correctly, 3 steps left, dribble, switch hands, 3 steps right, dribble, switch hands, etc., etc.  He watched the coach and was able to do the drill…no other boy did it correctly.

These are kindergarten boys and their practice time in the school gym is shared with the second grade girls.  So sometimes they practice the drills together and sometimes each group gets half a court and they do their own thing. 

Tonight at the very end they did a scrimmage, boys against the girls.  It was like David and Goliath reincarnated.  Second grade girls are about a half body taller than kindergarten boys, plus they are older and pay better attention, so they get the concepts of guarding the opposing team and going for rebounds.  Kindergarten boys have a ways to go on those two. 

As an example, when the boys were playing offense Alex would mimic the girl who was guarding him, instead of playing with his team members to move the ball toward the hoop.  Oh well…some things just come with time. 

Then there was Hillary.  Hillary was this little girl, smallest kid on the court, and boy, did she get basketball.  She played offense, she played defense, she could dribble, she could rebound, and she was the first one off in the breakaway.  She knew how to steal the ball, and she did, every time the boys got the ball they never got a shot off… because of Hillary. 

What I saw out there on the court was this little dynamo that had supreme confidence and self-esteem.  She was not afraid to bump her head or stub her fingers.  She knew how to be a team player and she beamed when she made a shot.  I fell in love, a kid definitely after my heart. 

When I meet a little girl like Hillary I hold my breath…for a long time.  I may never see her again, but I have my fingers crossed that she hangs on to that confidence and self-esteem.  That when she is 50 she is still playing basketball and is still beaming like the shining beacon she is today.

So, am I gonna go back?  You bet!!!  I love the natural high of innocent kids having a great time. 

Those JOY bubbles were hootin’ and hollerin’ tonight!!!

Enough said.