5  Most essential Tips for Basketball Parents

Will Smith's Grammy-winning song, "Parents Just Don't Understand," has echoed in my mind for many years. You see, I've been deeply involved in youth activities for the past 35 years. I spent a decade studying and teaching Martial Arts.

  I studied under Martial Arts legends Professor Willie "Bam" Johnson

 Master Dennis Brown

and Oso Tayari Casel. 

My 10 years teaching is where I develop my high energy approach to coaching young, inexperienced players  as well as  my teaching  style in class.   At the same time I was teaching Kung Fu I was coaching recreational Boys' basketball.

  

I transitioned to my next coaching adventure for the next decade, Gardenville Baseball.  I able an all in type of person so when I get involved I am totally immersed in the adventure.  At one point I coached a couple in-house teams in addition to the Travel/RBI teams for 11-12 & 13-15.  My baseball teams were no joke.  They could PLAY!. 

   While I was coaching Baseball I started my current adventure - Lady Lions Girl's Basketball in 1997 because my daughter didn't have anywhere around me to play. The team that started practicing on Sunday's in St Alphonso school's gym/cafeteria/auditorium combination room where we had to take down chairs and tables before every practice and put them up afterwards has grown to the largest, longest running girl's only basketball in the state over the past quarter of a century.

Life Has come full cycle 

 For the past 15 years I added High School coaching alongside the Lady Lions.  I currently coach girl's Basketball at Chesapeake High School in Essex, Md. with one of my closest friends Darryl Hunter,  We took a losing program to establish as one of the competitive schools in our region. 

I did coach Football and Softball at the school.

On the professional front, I just wrapped up a 15-year journey in education, and in a previous career, I ran a group home business housing 12 residents across three separate houses. I've worn the hats of a coach, an umpire, a referee, and yes, a very enthusiastic parent. So, let's dive into my insights, beginning with some introspection.

I consider myself fortunate to have had interactions with thousands of children who weren't my own. While I've received some constructive feedback from concerned parents, I've also been on the receiving end of unsolicited advice countless times. In this blog, I aim to guide parents on the best ways to support their child's athletic pursuits. While I'll use basketball references, these principles apply to any sport.

1. Understanding Your Child's Player Type
• It's essential to identify your child's inclination toward basketball. Are they:
• Players who merely enjoy the game?
• Basketball players who deeply love the sport?
• Ballers who live and breathe basketball?
• Tailor your involvement based on their aspirations.
2. Accentuate the Positive
• Emphasize positive reinforcement. Acknowledge good plays and effort, even in practice.
• Avoid piling on criticism; players are aware of their mistakes.
• On the ride home, refrain from discussing the game, especially after a loss. Allow them to decompress.
3. Patience in Skill Development
• Be patient with skill development, particularly for younger players.
• Kids grow and develop at varying rates.
• Encourage fun early on to keep them engaged.
• Stress teamwork in team sports.
4. Understanding the Game
• If you haven't received official training, avoid commenting on the rules.
• Neil deGrasse Tyson once said, "One of the great challenges in life is knowing enough to think you're right but not enough to know you're wrong."
• Familiarize yourself with terms and rules to avoid misguided remarks.
5. Dealing with Coaches
• Research programs thoroughly before committing.
• Communicate with coaches, asking any questions you may have.
• Follow these rules for constructive communication:
• Avoid discussing game-related matters directly after the game.
• Don't compare playing time with other players.
• Respect the coach's experience and decision-making process.

In the realm of youth sports, two spheres exist. First, there's your child's self-esteem, where parents hold the primary influence. No one understands their child's feelings better than parents, and if a coach negatively impacts self-esteem, it's time to reconsider. Second, there's the sport itself. Parents often don't know what's best here. Trust the process and the coaches; they're trained for it.

Bonus Tip: If your child isn't motivated to practice on their own, investing in a trainer may not be the solution.

I hope these five suggestions will help you foster a positive relationship with your child's coach. We're all partners in your child's development. In future blogs, I'll share my thoughts on child development and parenting. Don't forget to check out "The Maryland Multiverse" on my YouTube channel, "The Original Black Nerd," for comic book and movie reviews. Explore "The OBN Collection – The Black Superhero Experience" at www.obncollection.org. For the latest collection updates and photos, follow me on Facebook and Instagram – The Original Black Nerd. Until next time, remember, "Every Day is a New Adventure – Live it to its fullest!"