Basketball update #1

Loose Cannon (Basketball update #1)

In one of my previous blog posts, I talked about learning to play basketball and how it was a new experience for me. Last night, I played in my second game, and thought that maybe it was time for an update on my basketball learning. Far from actually understanding the game, I at least know what position I play (I think). Maybe. But last night’s game taught me a lot more than just to follow the ball and figure out a defense. It taught me a lesson in controlling your emotions and learning to actually enjoy playing a game. Not just to be there to compete and win. We lost. By a lot. The mercy rule was actually called to end the game early, but that wasn’t the most frustrating thing that happened on the court. As an athletic and competitive person, I am always striving to be competitive and to improve my game, whatever it is. However, that’s pretty hard to do if you feel like you are never getting passed to. That game was a lesson in learning to control my frustration at wanting to be better at basketball, so I could actually make a few plays. I had to put the team before my desire to compete and figure out how I could help the team. Luckily, I have a few skills that stem from playing tennis that can make me pretty unique on the court. Since I’m used to playing 3 hour almost constant games, I have a stamina that can often leave me the last one on the court. I’m used to running in all directions and have pretty good reflexes. This gave me the ability to follow the ball constantly and earned me my own play! I finally had a way to help my team, by simply following the basketball and doing anything to slow down the person with the ball. Was I making endless baskets or blocking everything? No. Was I trying to improve my team the only way I knew how? Yes. At the end of the game, I realized that I wasn’t having fun because we were winning (we weren’t), or because I was the MVP of the game (I wasn’t). I was having fun because I was getting to be active with my friends and helping my team to do the best that we can. In the end teamwork does pay off, and that was a pretty fun lesson to learn.