Archive for Kids
Good Guide to Watching Bowl Games
Posted by: | CommentsI will continue my series tomorrow or Monday (it is game day tomorrow, so I am not sure if I will have the time). But for now, check out Jeff Robinson over at CBMW with a good guide for fathers as they watch bowl games with their sons and/or daughters. I like his four main points and believe they apply to every time we sit and watch sports with our kids.
- Keep the remote control in your hand.
- Look for opportunities to discuss God’s sovereignty over sports.
- Look for opportunities to point out the way in which God has gifted athletes.
- Watch games (and television/Internet in general) in moderation.
I would only offer one other point: Look for opportunities to emphasize the fact that hundreds of hours of hard, diligent work has prepared these athletes for these few moments on the field. I like to emphasize that with my kids so that they will always understand that if they want to be great at something, they must be diligent to work at it for many years – no matter what that ‘something’ may be. Watching athletes do great things is a perfect opportunity to emphasize that point.
Enough for now. I need to get ready for dinner and the Penn State – Florida bowl game.
(HT: Vitamin Z)
Wisdom for Coaches (and Parents)
Posted by: | CommentsI enjoyed this post from Matt Perman a week or so ago, in particular because it strengthened my already strong conviction regarding the way Coaches can best capitalize on the abilities of their players. Though I don’t get to apply it much now, I know that one of the first things I will do when I go into coaching is to ask my players what they want to be good at, or what they most enjoy doing on a basketball court. Even if they aren’t already strong in those particular areas, you have a great chance to make them strong in the areas they mention because they are motivated to work at them. And there is nothing more important than that. Motivated abilities is the place to focus your efforts.
I have seen countless players fail to reach their potential not because they weren’t willing to work, but because Coaches oftentimes tried to fit them into a pre-conceived mold for what they should be. The guy is tall, so we don’t want him shooting jump shots, even though he is most motivated and comfortable doing so. That just isn’t wise. And it’s a perspective that has hurt many a player, team and coach.
I am sure you can make application of this in whatever your line of work. Now that I think about it, I suppose you can and should especially do so as a parent, for one of the primary things I am on the lookout for in my kids is not what they are good at, but what they want to be good at, or at least what they enjoy doing. More times than not, their strengths and desires will not conflict, but instead go hand in hand.
All that being said, I am certainly going to check out Buckingham’s book, Go Put Your Strengths to Work.
A Coach with Priorities
Posted by: | CommentsHead Basketball Coach of the Gonzago Bulldogs, Mark Few, seems to be a good example of a Coach with his priorities straight. No doubt he could have found a bigger coaching opportunity somewhere, but at Gonzago he has remained, especially, it seems, because of his family.
I found it refreshing to hear a good head coach talk like that. He is wise to recognize that the grass is not always (or even often) greener on the other side.
Sports Training for Kids?
Posted by: | CommentsMuch thanks again to my brother-in-law Sean for pointing me to this New York Times story regarding the recent surge in sports programs for young children.
I found it very interesting, but also felt that the experts cited were combatting a straw man. For each parent and employee cited seemed to be saying that they used sports for the physical development of children and to create a fun atmosphere. I am all for that as I do the same. Of course, there is no doubt that plenty a parent is bringing their kids to Lil’ Kickers because they fear their little ones will fall behind without it, but that isn’t the program’s fault. And you know what, it must be admitted that when parents think that, they do have a point. Maybe not when considering toddlers, but it is certainly true that the earlier one starts at something, the better chance he or she has at improving those specific skills. The problem isn’t in realizing that that is true, but in fearing the possibility of your kid not making it.
I think I need to say more on this topic as my four and a half-year-old, Elijah loves doing ‘workouts’ that include two ball dribbling and ‘beat the pro’ shooting. Not only that, but I was once one of those little toddlers with a ball in my hand and have no doubt that my early exposure to the game of basketball plays a role in where I am now. Until then, check out the article and leave me your thoughts. Or be sure to enjoy the video below as well.
Sports Science: NFL Concussions
Posted by: | CommentsI am already pretty set on not allowing my sons to play football. Not sure it is worth the risk. The recent paralyzation of Rutgers’ football player, Eric LeGrande, along with this video by Sports Science strengthen that conviction.
