Friday, April 27, 2012

The Stunners Dream is Alive.

Week 2 in the gym has already been a productive one.  We are continuing our quest to develop master ball handlers, working on our 3rd progression in our defensive rebounding technique, and  shooting 100 + shots per skills camp.  In addition we are placing special emphasis on developing good hands and footwork.  Finally, we are pushing the 30 minute home work out given to each child if they are not able to make it in a particular day.  Out of 20 kids in our first skills camp on Monday more than half of them had completed a structured home work out over the weekend.  Look out!

From a teamwork standpoint we are working tirelessly this week on a sideline break.  We focused on the first option of looking down low for a quick shot after the ball makes it to the corner.  Next week we will add to it by executing the second option involving reversing the ball to the opposite side as well as our jump ball play.  What is the key to success?  Only practicing them 1,000 times.  No biggy.
   
Our theme this week is the power of dreaming aka daydreaming, big plans,  having a target.  This week we are asking that great and important question;  "If I had unlimited time, talent, and money, what would I do with my life"?  What a cool question to answer.  What a great country we live in to have the ability to answer such a question, and then be given the opportunity to strive towards its achievement.    We are emphasizing that where values (last weeks theme) help develop a strong foundation of inner strength and stability to build a plan on, their dreams will give them an achievable target to focus on.  We are stressing that characteristics of dreams are that they should align with their values, have no limitations, and may take a long time to achieve.  Further, their dreams may change as they grow older.  The cool thing about the power of having dreams it that when inspired to achieve,  dreams can help them overcome obstacles that get in their way.

The one characteristic of dreams that we really stressed is how some may take a lifetime to achieve.  The plan is to break the dream down into small steps that can be taken each day.  We used the example of taking a vacation.  Pick your destination first, then plan your incremental path to get there.  In basketball,  they all have a dream of being great basketball players.  They get there by taking small daily steps,like attending a skills camp or doing a 30 minute home workout,  and repeat it over and over. Makes for a great lesson learning journey.

Overall the kids are really progressing.  They are becoming more familiar with what they are doing.  Although it takes some time to see the improvement I can definately notice some small additions to their ability. Its expected that some of the time they will be sluggish because they do have alot going on in their lives,  but overall, they are headed towards a  bright future, or, I mean target. 

Next week we work on goals, otherwise know as a dream with a date.

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Week 1. A Valuable Week in the IAI Stunners Gym

Our spring and summer season has begun.  We have already had two nights of skill work.  There is no doubt we have a great group of kids from great families ready to work hard to improve their game and themselves.

Our Stunners theme this week is values and how important positive strong values are in everyday life, and then how they relate to a sport like basketball.  We begin by emphasising important values in life like God, family, and community and how feeling a close relationship with each is quite important.  We discuss the characteristics of values like how they rarely change, they are always positive, and are reflected in their dreams and goals in life.  Lastly, we emphasise how important it is to choose friends that have similar values and recognize that the friends they have now may change as they grow older. Unfortunately it is true some friends suddenly begin to make bad choices.  Our kids must be strong enough to say no.   As a result Stunners stress it is always important to diversify.  Have many friends.

In basketball our Stunners values we stress are; 1. To fight to win.  2.  To always work hard. 3. Teamwork. 4. Good Sportsmanship. 5. Building relationships 6. Being Thankful. 

1.Stunners want to fight hard to win every game but understand there are no guarantees. 
2.The Stunners answer to everything is to work hard.  If we win a game we come back to the gym and work hard.  If we lose a game we come back to the gym and work hard. 
3. Stunners value teamwork.  We empower the individul with confidence and skill which will then improve the team.  Yet this is not like playing video games alone in your room.  This is a team sport.  We emphasise encouraging your teammates every moment you get. 
4.  Stunners are good sportsmen .. or sportsshe/he-men or sportswomen or something like that.  We understand that youth sports is a very imperfect thing.  People make mistakes.  Stunners make mistakes.  Officials, coaches, parents, scorekeepers make mistakes.  The hotdog maker will mess up.  We don't overreact.  We respect that and fight hard to overcome it.
5. Stunners build relationships.  We build relationships with each other and with others.  Its okay to like someone but want to kick their butt out on the court.  Its okay to dislike someone and want to kick their butt out on the court. 
6.  Stunners are thankful.  We ask our kids to thank their parents or whoever takes care of them after each practice or event and tell them you love them.   It is stressed that someone close to them is working hard to provide great opportunity.  A thank you will go a long way.

Next week we will take the next step and talk about the power of dreaming. 

And oh, by the way, the kids are working their butts off out on the court. 

Go Stunners!


 

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Season Three of the Stunners Program: another chance to improve.

We are now about to begin our 3rd spring and summer season. To date we have completed three fall and winter and two spring and summer seasons.  Although each season is long it is incredible how they seem to be passing by quickly.  Each season is bringing growth and improvement. 
 
One important element of our mission is to improve the quality of basketball at the high school level in the Quad City area.  How long it will take is hard to say.  Some areas that currently have quality high school basketball are blessed with 25 year old youth programs pushing kids through.  At three years old we are still in the incubation stage.

To satisfy our mission on the court everyone has been working overtime. As an organization we have increased our amount of skills camps, practices, and open gyms offered.  The kids have been working hard executing every drill and play.  The coaches have been focused on teaching the fundamentals each and every practice.  The parents have been working tirelessly keeping their kids plugged into the process.  We are all setting an incredible pace.  We are all doing the right things the right way.  We are close to seeing dramatic results. 

We will be looking for some giant leaps in improvement individually and as teams this summer.  We will focus heavily on all fundamentals with an emphasis on making shots.  Although we are bringing on many new athletes we have a good core of kids coming back and staying involved.  Everyone is ready to take a big step up.