There is not many things cuter than kindergartners attempting to play basketball. It is hard to help them understand that the normal day-to-day rules that we use are NOT part of playing a team sport. For instance:
*They have been taught to have manners (and not "snatch". We now say "It isn't ok to snatch-unless you are playing basketball).
*To "walk" indoors.
*To treat everyone equally (including passing the ball to the other team if they haven't had a turn in a while).
*To share (including letting someone else get the re-bound if they had a "turn" to shoot and didn't make it)
*To look fashionable (including wearing their pink sweats, pink tennis shoes, and pink hair bows with their green, black, and white jerseys)
*That snack time is the most important part of the day ("Is the game over yet? Is it snack time?)
*That we need great smiles for camera shots. (during game...pause on the court...pose...smile for mom since her camera is up)
*Mom and dad like for us to acknowledge them. (during game...pause on the court...wave...mom didn't see....wave again...."Mom! Hi!... "Mom, aren't I doing good?"... "Mom, I ALMOST got the ball."..."Mom, I ALMOST shot a basket."...."Mom, this is fun. Thanks for letting us play basketball."...Meanwhile, kids are running back and forth actually playing the game.
Other things to teach the kids when they are playing basketball:
*You can't run to the other side with the ball under your arm, you have to dribble it.
*If your dad starts yelling stuff to you, it is just because he is overly competitive- you don't have to run over to him to see what he is saying.
*You are supposed to guard one person on the other team, and not follow the ball wherever it goes. (You may not be able to see the ball, but there are some clues as to where it is...Entire two teams go left, entire two teams go right, entire two teams run out-of-bounds).
*You aren't supposed to scream,jump for joy, and keep repeating the score when you are winning 20 to 2.
*You don't get points for "guarding" your person.
*You don't get points for "almost" making a basket.
*You don't have to fight for the ball when your own team has it.
*You don't have to automatically throw it to the star player as soon as you touch the ball.
*They have been taught to have manners (and not "snatch". We now say "It isn't ok to snatch-unless you are playing basketball).
*To "walk" indoors.
*To treat everyone equally (including passing the ball to the other team if they haven't had a turn in a while).
*To share (including letting someone else get the re-bound if they had a "turn" to shoot and didn't make it)
*To look fashionable (including wearing their pink sweats, pink tennis shoes, and pink hair bows with their green, black, and white jerseys)
*That snack time is the most important part of the day ("Is the game over yet? Is it snack time?)
*That we need great smiles for camera shots. (during game...pause on the court...pose...smile for mom since her camera is up)
*Mom and dad like for us to acknowledge them. (during game...pause on the court...wave...mom didn't see....wave again...."Mom! Hi!... "Mom, aren't I doing good?"... "Mom, I ALMOST got the ball."..."Mom, I ALMOST shot a basket."...."Mom, this is fun. Thanks for letting us play basketball."...Meanwhile, kids are running back and forth actually playing the game.
Other things to teach the kids when they are playing basketball:
*You can't run to the other side with the ball under your arm, you have to dribble it.
*If your dad starts yelling stuff to you, it is just because he is overly competitive- you don't have to run over to him to see what he is saying.
*You are supposed to guard one person on the other team, and not follow the ball wherever it goes. (You may not be able to see the ball, but there are some clues as to where it is...Entire two teams go left, entire two teams go right, entire two teams run out-of-bounds).
*You aren't supposed to scream,jump for joy, and keep repeating the score when you are winning 20 to 2.
*You don't get points for "guarding" your person.
*You don't get points for "almost" making a basket.
*You don't have to fight for the ball when your own team has it.
*You don't have to automatically throw it to the star player as soon as you touch the ball.
You girls are doing great. I love to be your #1 cheerleader!!!
Next sport: Soccer (No! No hands, girls! It is a different kind of "dribble!!)
2 comments:
And you thought that cheerleading would never come in handy... Litte kids are so funny to watch. I love that they stop in the middle of the court to pose for you. Do they lower the baskets for them? So many rules to remember- very funny!
Adam told me to quit yelling for him because it was distacting him after basketball the other day. Whoopsie.
This was another brilliant post. So true...snatching is okay now...in the name of effective team play...all of the things you mentioned were brilliant!
Post a Comment