Erick's started a new sport these days - Basketball! And we LOVE the program he's playing with. It's part of a sports program sponsored by our local Baptist Church called Upward Basketball. Let me tell you, this is no ordinary basketball league. Granted, it's hardly the closest to us and at first that was hard to swallow, but the benefits are awesome. Mainly, my little daisy-picker has a great experience every week and LOVES basketball.
Matt's really into his cars these days. He pushes them around and makes noises, and I thought it was funny the other to watch him making engine noises while he "flew" a paper airplane. I love boys!
And moose antlers...
And a little bit of Erick's game...
Dribbling down the court...
Doh! Lost it!
Okay folks, I've got it all under control...
Pass! And the kid he passed to scored. That's just as good as scoring himself to Erick - look at that face!
We've been really impressed with the league.
A few things stand out - notice the wristbands. At the beginning of the season all the kids come to an evening where they're measured and shoot a few baskets. Then the teams are divided up to make them as even as possible. At the game each kid gets a wristband that coordinates with a boy on the opposite team, which helps them to know exactly who they're supposed to be guarding all the time. And ideally they're pretty equally matched.
This age doesn't keep score officially, although of course the kids like to unofficially.
Every game begins with ref leading the kids in a prayer. At "halftime" the kids leave the court with their coach to get a drink and talk while someone from the church gives a spiritual message to the adults. Yes, for real.
Then after the game is over the boys meet again with the coach and their parents and get a green star if they memorized that week's scripture and another star for stellar performance during the game on either offense, defense, sportsmanship or something else. The coach really works to mix it up so no one kid gets all stars of the same color. We go home and iron them on his shirt and take another scripture card for the following week. He got a holder at the beginning of the year for his cards, and on the reverse side are basketball practice tips.
Anyway, it's a National program, so I highly suggest looking into it in your area, too. It's really great!
6 comments:
That sounds like a really great program!! We're just getting to the point where we are thinking about putting our kids in activities like that. Glad you found one that you love!
I'm so thankful for good people all over this world who work to make life better for someone else's grandchildren! It makes me want to work harder for all the grandchildren in the world!
Wow! That is so NOT the Church Ball I grew up with.
That really is an awesome program! I especially like how they pair players against others of their own caliber and talent. That will make or break a child's confidence more than the final score. With them evenly matched, both teams will feel good about themselves.
That is great! I saw a flier for that at school, but didn't know much about it. Thanks for the info!
Kinda makes it hard to stand up and swear at the top of your lungs, I'll bet. Dang.
:-)
Lol Jen - hard but not impossible. It does make it hard to make it sound like the swearing came from the person next to you, or to do it so your kids don't hear you. BYU basketball and football stadiums are much more conducive for that scene.
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