Friday, May 19th 2017 Today we were in the gym from 1pm-3pm. It was a short day because we were summoned to the alumni game. For the time I was in the gym I helped with the group workout. It was the last workout of the week so it was light. Mostly shooting and quick moves to create space for your shot. One move was to jab with your non dominate foot and then shoot off balance because sometimes you'll be in that situation. Billy and some other kids had some trouble doing this which was expected. I advised them to pretend they were about to shoot left handed and then shoot their regular shot. I didn't even know if this would work but it helped them and they started to look like me doing it haha.
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Thursday, May 18th 2017 Today we were in the gym from 2pm-5pm for the group workout and then 6pm-9pm for practice. During the group workout I helped teach the kids how to do the woke out move because it was challenging. Malik was having trouble with it so he asked for help, I went over to the other side of the court and worked on the move with him for until he got the hang of it. I told him like I tell the other players, this is the place to make mistakes right here so you can get better. He went back in line with the other players to continue the workout. He still made mistakes but it looked a lot better. This right here helped me with my people skills and helped me have a better understanding of how people learn.
Wednesday, May 17th 2017 Today we were in the gym from 1pm-5pm for the group workout. Today's workout move was a double crossover, crossover spin, in and ou and a layup. Then it was all that but instead of the crossovers it was between the legs then behind the back. There was no practice today because there no incoming tournament this weekend for the high school kids so coach TJ game them the week off. But some of the players who could still came to the group workout anyway because they wanted to get better. We showed them how to do the moves, a lot of the kids were running the crossover spin but I told them to break it into two moves instead of one and it looked much better.
Tuesday, May 16th 2017 Today we were in the gym from 1pm-5pm for the group workout and then from 6pm-9pm for the middle school practice. Today's workout move was an in and out, double cross over, half spin then a layup. Then all again but instead of a double crossover it was a double between the legs then double behind the back. After the workout I went to go pick up the little kids for their practice then stayed to coach. I helped them with the drills they were doing and rebounded for them.
Monday, May 15th 2017 Today we were in the gym from 3pm-5pm for the group workout. Coming back from the tournament this weekend, everyone was tired and sore so the group workout was small. The workout move was a double crossover, the Kobe, cross over then lay up. Then all that again but between the legs then behind the back. Everyone who was at the workout was either a college athlete or a senior in high school about to be a college athlete so I didn't have to show them how to do the move.
Sunday, May 14 2017 Weekly Reflection - Week 2 Week 2 was another successful week and I learned more about coaching and bettering people communication and people skills. This week I learned patience is key and that everybody improves and work at difference paces. I also learned that while coaching, some kids take yelling and constructive criticism differently. Some kids will see that you're trying to help them and other kids think you're attacking them or trying to put them down. You just have to tell them you're there to help them and make them better. I did like what I was doing because it's always fun to be around the kids and be in the basketball gym. Also it's nice to see the smiles on everyone's facing when we're winning and doing well. I was asked to coach a team this weekend again to improve my coaching skills and also get the players more comfortable with me. The players I coach know the reason they get taken out. Either
Friday, May 12 2017 Today we were in the gym from 2pm-4pm for the group workout. The workout was a shooting workout because there were games on Saturday and Sunday. Coach TJ didn't want to work the kids too hard but still wanted them to have a workout. After the workout we went to Providence, RI where the tournament because we were coaching for the weekend. Im looking forward to see how the team will do this weekend.
Thursday, May 11th 2017 Today we were in the gym from 1pm-5pm for the group workout and a some scrimmaging. Then again from 6pm-9pm for practice. Today's workout move was an AI crossover, hard dribble, hesitation and a layup. Then it was all that but instead of a crossover it was between the legs then behind the back. Then after that it was a jumpshot and a step back jumpshot. I jumped in the workout and helped kids who were struggling, but I'm seeing a lot of improvement in the moves they're doing. Today's practice was the middle school practice, I push them to get better because they are the future of the program and basketball in general.
Wednesday, May 10th 2017 Today we were in the gym from 2pm-5pm for the group workout and then 6pm-9pm for the practices. Today's group workout had kids from all argue groups so the move wasn't too difficult but not easy. The move was a crossover, another cross over, a harder dribble then a double crossover then a layup. Then all that again but instead of a cross over it was between the legs then behind the back. Then all again but instead of a layup in was a jumpshot. I helped the kids who were having trouble and it takes some patience but they eventually got it. We hopped in for the practices and helped out with the drills. Both of the older teams who practiced today have a tournament this weekend in Rhode Island and I think they can win the whole thing, they're ready.
Tuesday, May 9th 2017 Today we were in the gym from 1pm-5pm leading the group workout. The workout was a shooting workout where you had to make 10 mid-range jump shots on each of the 5 spots and then 10 three-pointers on each of the 5 spots. Then after that it was a jab step into a jumpshot. This move was tricky and some people didn't get it at first so I told them to break it into two parts first and then as they feel more comfortable with it they can go faster. There was middle school practice today from 6pm-9pm but we weren't there because we were summoned on campus to play pickup with some recruits for next year.
Monday, May 8th 2017 Today was a roughly short day in the gym, 3pm-5pm. We worked out and helped out with the group workout which consisted of only high school players today so the workout was a little more advanced. The workout move today was between the legs, cross over, AI cross over, in and out and then a lay up. Then all that again but instead of a cross over it was between the legs then behind the back. Since there was a tournament last weekend coach TJ gave the players the day off and cancelled practice. But we're back at it again tomorrow ready to get better and help get the other kids get better.
Sunday, May 7th 2017 Weekly Reflection - Week 1 This first week overall went well and I learned a lot. Like how much time, effort, and dedication goes into running a basketball program. When I was a player I didn't realize this because I was only focused on playing but now that I'm seeing everything from the coach's point of view, its a lot of work. I most definitely like what I am doing because as I'm getting closer to the players. I am becoming someone they look up to kind of like a mentor but I'm also there for them as a friend if they need one. For an example Prince from the 7th grade team was pouting on the bench and I asked him why he was upset and he told me he doesn't play as much as he thinks he should. That's something he can't tell the coach directly but feels comfortable telling me so I told him to dive for loose balls, look for the open man and run hard. He did just that and now he earned himself a starting spo
Friday, May 5th 2017 Today we were in the gym from 1pm-5-pm and had a light workout because of the tournament this weekend. We did did a lot of shooting and practiced creating space to get an open shot. For the majority of the day tomorrow I will be in the gym coaching multiple teams. As I'm experiencing how it is to run a basketball program, I am also seeing how hard it is but I see the bennefiting factor of it. It's all about wanting the kids to succeed, and there's no better feeling than helping someone in any way. I will also be helping out with rides to the tournament which is in Hampton. I'm hoping the teams will continue the tradition of winning the NH state championship.
Thursday, May 4th 2017 Today we were in the gym from 1pm-5pm for the workout and then 6pm-9pm for practice. Today's workout was between the legs, crossover, then a stutter step, then all that again but instead of a crossover it was a between the legs then behind the back. I had a special mentor-student moment during practice. Little Isaiah said he wanted to get better, so I told him to play hard all the time and look up as he's running up the court to see the open man. He then started making nice passes which impressed coach TJ. He then came up to me after practice and thanked me for the tips and says he wants to be like me. This is what its all about, this moment made me happy. Today's practice was the final practice for the week in preparation for the upcoming tournament this weekend. This weekend is the New Hampshire state tournament so all the teams of all age groups from New Hampshire will be attending. The DC Blue Devils have a reputation of always winning the tourn
Wednesday, May 3rd 2017 Today we were in the gym from 1pm to 5pm, I helped out with the group workout and also did it. Today's move was a stutter step, cross over, behind the back and then a floater. Then it was all that again but instead of a crossover it was between the legs. Doing all these moves help improve your ball handling skills and I can see my ball handling improving alongside the other kids who workout with me. After the workout there was 10th and 11th grade practice from 6pm to 9pm. I was going to help out with that but we had a Proctor basketball team dinner so I went to that. Even though I wanted to stay and play, it was nice to have the team come together as one again and enjoy a meal. We went to a restaurant where these guys walk around and offer you all different types of meat and it was unlimited.
Tuesday, May 2nd 2017 Today we were in the gym from 1pm - 5pm. During that time we had a group workout. We jumped in the workout and also helped the kids with today's move which was a double cross over, hesitation, and a lay up. Then it was all that again but instead of a lay up it was a jumpshot. The kids learned how to do a hesitation which is used to fake out your defender making them think you're about to shoot the basketball but you still have your dribble. After the group workout we went to pick up some of the younger kids who needed a ride to practice. I remember when I was their age I sometimes had a hard time finding a ride to practices so I want to make sure they don't have to worry about that. The practice lasted from 6pm to 9pm. During the practice time we helped with the drills and gave them advice while they were scrimmaging.
Monday, May 1st 2017 Today we were in the gym for 5 hours (12pm-5pm) helping and working out with the kids, showing them how to do certain moves. Today's workout moves was a combination of an in and out, the Kobe and then a crossover then a layup, and then all that again but instead of a crossover it was between the legs and then behind the back. Doing these drills helps the kids with their skill and helps them break down their defended and score the basketball. Our trainer TJ Thompson taught us to figure out where a kid is in skill devopment. This is important because then we can know how advanced or basic the workout move should be. Today was only scratching the surface of enhancing my people skills.