I am coaching my daughter's 5th grade basketball team. We recently played our first game of the season. For many of the girls (and their parents), it was the first basketball game of their life. I shared the following with the girls' parents prior to the game.
Today is an exciting day; it's the first game of the season. As your girls get ready for tonight, remind them of the following:
We are wearing the maroon jersey.
Bring water.
Bring your basketball.
Be at the gym at 5:00.
As I mentioned in the parent meeting, please tell them the following:
Play hard.
Have fun.
I love you.
I told the girls yesterday that today is all about learning and getting better. They're going to make mistakes, and that's a good thing. As the great basketball coach John Wooden once said, "If you're not making mistakes, then you're not doing anything. I'm positive that a doer makes mistakes." As frustrating as some of their mistakes might be to watch, remember that they're not trying to mess up; they're messing up because they're trying. As tempting as it might be, try not to coach from the stands. The game is hard enough without 10 different people telling them what to do. So cheer for effort, cheer for team play, and cheer for improvement.
I look forward to seeing you at the game.
Coach Cheney