Recess v Process

MONDAY, MARCH 08, 2010

Let them have fun, or have them learn correct technique?

As a dad and a coach, I often find it hard to take the whistle off. When do I coach, and when do I just let them muck around?
All parents will have had the thought that 'if my child is going to do something, then I want them to do it properly'. I'm not likely to change my mind on that any time soon. Good skills are like the foundation to a house. I've seen promising senior careers derailed by poor shooting technique or insufficient ball skills. If kids are taught properly early, so many more opportunities present themselves later on.
Without a doubt, there are 'haves' and 'have-nots' in basketball, just like in life. The kids with the good coaches (likely in higher divisions) get better, while the lower-division kids are often at the mercy of well-meaning but inexperienced parents, or, as is the case now, relegation pressures that mean the coach has to focus on team aspects rather than developing individual skill. The only way to break that cycle is to find time to do some individual skills work outside of offical team practice. But that's a well-worn mantra. My focus here is something different.
I have mentioned before, that kids have to have FUN. If everything is a training drill, or invites some corrective feedback from a parent, kids are going to get annoyed and do something else, just to avoid the nag.
Every kid loves shooting long shots while they're mucking around in the driveway, or imitating something they've seen on TV. This type of play should be allowed to happen. Having a ball in their hands is very important, no matter what form it comes in. This is how love for the game is fostered, and when they love the game, even regimented practices will feel like play. There is always a time to be serious, but the time to be serious is not 'always'.
So let your kids have some 'recess' without 'process'. Mucking around with your mates is a core joy and why we all love this game. Try and provide unstructured outlets to help foster your child's love for the game.