Having "Fun" Vs. Working Hard

As we enter our second month of the club season with two brand new teams, four that have only been together a few months, and a couple that have been together a year or more, we are at the stage in our practices and games where we have a lot to learn in regards to the game of basketball. Yes, the game is a simple game... Put the ball in the hoop and you score. The team with the most points at the end is the winner, but there is so much more that goes into competitive, club level basketball. Skills, athleticism and knowledge of the game all play a huge role in a teams success. Combine that with getting the 5 players on the court to work together with subs coming in and out throughout the course of the game. Half and full court offenses and defenses, in bounds plays, end of game situations, etc, etc. So much to teach... so much to learn.

So how to get through all the material while keeping the game fun along the way? Because if it isn't fun, the players won't want to come back for more.

Like most aspects of life, it’s about striking the balance. There will be times that you have to focus on the skills, times when they have to work on the plays, and times when you just have to let the kids go for it, playing the game without worrying too much about anything other then playing their hearts out.

Ultimately individual and team success depends on how badly the players want it. How much extra time do they spend working on their games? Is it just at practice or are the players working on their games on their own also. How much do they take it upon themselves to learn the details? Are they watching “ how to” YouTube videos, reading books about it, or talking the details over with Coaches, teammates, parents, and other family and friends that enjoy the game? How much do they get a group of friends together at a park and just play the game?

It really just comes down to the fact that we are all different and in the end all of our approaches to the game are different. There will be those that are just happy to be involved and a part of something "fun" and those that will do anything and everything possible to be successful, to be a winner, to be the best. The beauty in all of that is, as long as you are being true to yourself and you are approaching the game in the best way that fits you and who you are, then you are striking the balance between having fun and working hard. For some it is about being a part of the group, having fun playing the game, and goofing around with your teammate/friends, while for others it is about being competitive, pushing yourself to be your best, and winning. And there is every shade of gray in between. As a coach, my job is to know my players, to understand where they are coming from, and to help them strike that balance between “having fun” and working hard, because that is what is going to keep them coming back for more!

Larry Anter
A Game Basketball
agamebball.com
Facebook.com/AGameBasketball

Sponsored by: East Ventura Optimist Club of Ventura, Kate Turner, Realtor - Comfort Real Estate Services, Inc

Helping to bring quality basketball training to the youth of Ventura County.

Year Round Sports - Pros and Cons

After taking the month of August completely off from running A Game Basketball, a Ventura County youth basketball travel club, we are now back at it, continuing where we left off with our Girls 4th, 5th, and 6th grade and Boys 6th and two 8th grade teams. We are also holding tryouts for various grades with limited available spots for each. One of the many challenges for any youth sport is competing for athletes with all the other sports teams and activities that our young people are positively involved in. If you ask me it’s a great problem to have because it just means so many of our youth have activities to be a part of. Yes, the more opportunities the crazier it gets for parents, carting their children around and finding a way to budget for it all, not to mention the strain it can put on our children as they try to balance all of their activities with school work, social events, and just being kids. Gone are the days of true seasons because with all sports there are now opportunities to play year round. So how do we manage all of this. Some families still find a way to limit their children’s activities to certain times of the year and some cram it all in. One aspect of A Game Basketball that I take pride in is our willingness to work with families and their hectic schedules. Of course we want and need a certain level of commitment, but during the fall and spring especially, we know there are other popular sports going on. One way or the other we find a way to strike the balance and often times the challenge of trying to do it all just encourages the athletes and families to narrow their focus, allowing for the mental freedom of simplifying our hectic lives. If nothing else, I encourage families to talk to the coaches they are working with to find out how flexible they are willing to be. The bottom line is being a multi-sport athlete is a good thing, as long as they are not trying to do too many all at once. A child first coach will understand the need for flexibility and that is definitely what you can find with A Game Basketball. For tryout info, visit our website at AGameBball.com.

Sponsored by: East Ventura Optimist Club of Ventura

Stick With It!

Perseverance... determination... mental toughness... Theses are the traits coaches are looking for when  the competition is tough. These are traits that will serve you well in life. As we all know, things don’t always go our way, but having these traits sure does help you to get through it and, hopefully, to overcome what ever “it” may be. I know for me, being involved in youth sports when I was growing up definitely helped me to stick with things even when it got tough or wasn’t going my way. Sports mirrors life in many ways. Persevere, be determined, and have mental toughness and you will increase your chances for success, whether it is on the court or in life. This post was inspired by some of the recent road blocks and challenges I have faced while starting A Game Basketball as well as other personal projects. Whether I have met those challenges or I’m still in the middle of doing so, it is good to remind myself that it will all work itself out and to just keep moving forward, focusing on the parts that I can actually do something about and to not worry about the things I can’t control. Just give it everything you have and let the chips fall where they may.

Sponsored by: East Ventura Optimist Club of Ventura

Welcome to A Game Basketball

I started A Game Basketball in the spring of 2019. With basketball being my first passion, I have been around the game of basketball as a player or coach for almost 40 years. It is my desire to provide the A Game Basketball players with a solid foundation for the game of basketball, emphasizing the skills and knowledge of the game, as well as having a team first mentality.  It is my goal to leave a lasting impression on my players that through hard work, passion, and integrity one can achieve great things and have a blast doing it!

Sponsored by: East Ventura Optimist Club of Ventura