Why I still do middle school basketball

[Adam]

At this level, it's as much a social activity as anything else. The girls were all having fun, from what I could tell. The coaches were extremely pleasant and encouraging. The parents were the same.

[mplagrow]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

At this level, it's as much a social activity as anything else. The girls were all having fun, from what I could tell. The coaches were extremely pleasant and encouraging. The parents were the same.

That's often true. But sometimes it's true (in my experience) that the coaches and parents take it far more seriously than the players.

[deecee]

many of these girls enjoy the game -- they might not be the most competitive but they ENJOY the social aspect like snaq said earlier. no matter what level the parents take it more seriously a majority of the time. George Carlin said it best, and i truly believe, that parents today are leading to the pu$$ification of our youth. Some of the things that parents do to "fight for their kids" my parents never would have thought and I was always taught to fight my own battles within reason of course.

i have said it many times, and from growing up on the east coast and moving to california when I was 18 I can see how the 2 sides differ in raising their kids. Everything I REALLY learned was from injuring myself somehow. In California thats hard with all the armor kids wear.

but after this rant these girls enjoy this -- you can tell -- its evident in how they play and how they interact with their team and opponents. they dont value winning the most but they value the enjoyment that we all had at one point from doing the most mundane

[rainmaker]

Originally Posted by deecee

many of these girls enjoy the game -- they might not be the most competitive but they ENJOY the social aspect like snaq said earlier. no matter what level the parents take it more seriously a majority of the time. George Carlin said it best, and i truly believe, that parents today are leading to the pu$$ification of our youth. Some of the things that parents do to "fight for their kids" my parents never would have thought and I was always taught to fight my own battles within reason of course.

i have said it many times, and from growing up on the east coast and moving to california when I was 18 I can see how the 2 sides differ in raising their kids. Everything I REALLY learned was from injuring myself somehow. In California thats hard with all the armor kids wear.

but after this rant these girls enjoy this -- you can tell -- its evident in how they play and how they interact with their team and opponents. they dont value winning the most but they value the enjoyment that we all had at one point from doing the most mundane

As a general rule, you may be right about the parents, but it sounds like Snaqs has found the exceptions. There are still a few good parents left in the world.

[Adam]

Part of the issue is, I think, that around here, basketball isn't the "be all end all" that it is in other areas. It's a game, and most people keep that in perspective; especially below the high school level.

[rainmaker]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

Part of the issue is, I think, that around here, basketball isn't the "be all end all" that it is in other areas. It's a game, and most people keep that in perspective; especially below the high school level.

I'd take that trade any day!

[Corndog89]

Originally Posted by mplagrow

But sometimes it's true (in my experience) that the coaches and parents take it far more seriously than the players.

Only sometimes??

[mplagrow]

Originally Posted by Corndog89

Only sometimes??

I'm trying to be gracious.

[Ref Daddy]

It really is (sometimes) a breath of fresh air.

Don't overlook your impact on "teaching" the game to these lower levels.Enjoyable too.

[TimTaylor]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

At this level, it's as much a social activity as anything else. The girls were all having fun, from what I could tell. The coaches were extremely pleasant and encouraging. The parents were the same.

I have to agree - did a couple games at a big 8th grade girls tournament last weekend. Kids were great & played their hearts out, coaches & parents were great and everyone had a ball. I'm working 3 games at the corresponding G8 boys tourney the weekend of the 20th......that one I expect to be a little more intense