The demise of Mr. Arrogance

tales from youth basketball I was looking for escape from travel basketball and agreed to coach a 7th-8th grade girls team in the local city recreational program. It was a nice break from travel ball and it produced some unexpected and uncommon memories. The team I was given had a group of girls who were … Continue reading The demise of Mr. Arrogance

The Lives We touch

Youth Sports The gym was deserted. Lights were off. Only narrow rays of sunlight through high windows relieved my eyes from a dusk-like dimness. It had been nearly a decade since I had passed through the large double doors that at one time had greeted me openly. I sensed they no longer knew me, that … Continue reading The Lives We touch

The one maneuver that every youth coach should know

There are people who see disaster and immediately, "run to the fire". There are others who see disaster and run the other way. Then there's me. I tend to analyze, strategize, and just take some time to inhale the wonderful scent of burning furniture. Besides, if I only get one shot at running into a … Continue reading The one maneuver that every youth coach should know

Bridget, the most courageous girl I ever knew

Tales from youth basketball The girl had everything. She was well-groomed, successful, personable, and fun. With her perpetual smile, it appeared the girl never had a bad day. But, that is only how it seemed because those of us who knew her were aware of the barriers that life had put in her path. My … Continue reading Bridget, the most courageous girl I ever knew

No points? No point guard? No problem!

One thing was clear. It was going to be a tough season of coaching girls youth basketball. How did I know? Well, I was in my first year of being on the board of directors for the city basketball program and I had rosters for every girls team---including player ratings which had been included by … Continue reading No points? No point guard? No problem!

“Coach, can I have some alcohol?”

If you've coached basketball for a few years, you probably have special memories of special players. For me, Sara is one of those. It was September and we were re-forming our seventh grade travel team in preparation for the new season. We had filled most of our roster but had one spot open that my … Continue reading “Coach, can I have some alcohol?”

From ten crying girls to a Nike grant

When my eight year old daughter wanted to play sports, I was delighted. I knew she had what it took to be good in any sport and the fact that she wanted to play basketball was even better because that was my sport. I had played high school basketball in Oregon and coached at various … Continue reading From ten crying girls to a Nike grant

Tales of youth basketball: Brittany

She was 10, she was tough, and she was trouble. We were in our third year of producing a Summer basketball league for fifth-through-seventh grade girls. In May of each year, we conducted a week-long skills clinic that preceded the Summer league. We had high school players and a few from college who led drills … Continue reading Tales of youth basketball: Brittany