PART I
I did not always like girls' basketball; in fact I hated it the first time I saw it being played. I'm not sure of the year (60s) but I remember passing a gym and watching a game I thought was basketball. Girls were making weird passes and stopping at certain places on the court and standing there as if quicksand would engulf them if they moved out of there section.
I could not believe my eyes, who in the world would play this game and I am sure Dr. Naismith did not create this game.
Perhaps some history is needed:
Basketball was invented in 1891.
Dr. James Naismith was a teacher at the YMCA Training School in Springfield, Massachusetts. One day, while trying to find a way to interest his bored gym students, he made up the game basketball.
In his version, players used a soccer ball (of course they couldn't use a basketball because it hadn't been invented yet). For hoops they used peach baskets nailed to the lower rail of the gym balcony. There were nine players per team instead of five.
Oh yeah and they were all male.
It didn't take women long to catch on. The first women's basketball team was started just a few weeks later when teachers from a nearby school saw Dr.
Naismith's students playing and thought it looked like fun. A few miles up the Connecticut River was the Home of Smith College for girls in Northampton. In 1892, the physical education teacher, Senda Berenson used it in her classes.
The purpose of the game was for physical fitness for her ladies. Senda would change some of Dr. Naismith's rules to strive teamwork and cooperation, rather then competition.
She would break the court into 3 zones and 9 players would exist on each team. Each zone would have 3 players in it. No player could leave her zone.
The player could only hold the ball 3 seconds and dribble the ball 3 times before passing. No grabbing or stealing of the ball was allowed as well. This reduced the ability for single players to become stars and required the effort of all.
Basketball was incredibly popular among women in the early 1900s. Women and men's games were often played together in "double headers." However, during those early years, girls' basketball was a far different game than the fast-paced, run and gun style to which we are accustomed today.
The girls were always appropriately attired, which usually meant some form of bloomers or a dress.
Because of the risks of physical exertion on such delicate frames, the rules for girls adopted in 1899 provided that the floor was divided into three sections. A player assigned to that section could not leave it.
No player could dribble more than three times, and stealing the ball was prohibited. The halves were fifteen minutes each, with a ten minute 'rest' in between.
Teams could field anywhere from five to ten players.
The starting lineup was composed of seven players: a center, a right, left and center guard, and a right, left and center forward.
In 1923 the first lady, Mrs. Herbert Hoover caught wind of the double headers and created a national committee to check it out.
The committee was shocked by what they found. Young women athletes playing in front of male audiences? Reprehensible!
The practice was stopped. Soon after states began to close women's sports programs. It was believed that women were too dainty for vigorous physical activity.
Things began to change in 1972 when Congress passed amendments to the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Among many other cool things, Title IX of the Federal Education Amendments Act of 1972 made it illegal to prevent people from participating in any educational group or activity that got government money for support. Classes and extracurricular activities had to be offered to all students.
Girls began playing with five players just like the boys and the rules with some variation (i.e., size of ball).
That amendment really changed things for female athletes:
- In 1970-71 - 294,000 girls played high school sports.
- In 1976-77 - that number increased to 1,645,000.
- Today over 13.
5 million females play basketball!
Present Day
In the mid 1980s I started liking girls basketball, it has increased steadily and my fondness for the game increased when I saw the passion and work ethic that high school girls put into their game. I began coaching girls in the early 1990s.
The 2000s brought me to scouting and helping a number of friends/coaches who coached girls in high school. I continue to do it to this day. Why do I do this is a question I often get asked.
Answer - I like being around others who have a passion for the game AND because I am not a coach, I am not on any set schedule, I just help when needed.
Last weekend I had the privilege to spend time with a local high school team at a pre-season camp that has a rich history in girls' basketball. It was my pleasure to hang out with the Freshmen, JV and Varsity Coaches.
All of them are knowledgeable in the game and are devoted to leading, coaching and teaching the girls the correct way to play the game and stress fundamentals.
They are good people who are devoted to the game care (on off court) for the girls and make sure all get time to play and best of all they allow them to have fun. The girls are eager and listen to each coach intensively because they want to improve their game and become part of a winning tradition.
That is the BIG difference between the boys and girls game. The girls are a joy to be around, why because they listen, and they execute to the best of their abilities what the coaches have laid out in the game plan. They practice hard, lift weights and run as much as any boys team.
Did I mention they listen and execute?
I no longer will coach boys because I love the purity of girls' basketball, it is played the way the game was intended and it is played as a team.
It's going to be a great season, stop back for updates --- qualityg
updated 7/31/06
PART II
Wow!
The girls finished another 3 - day weekend camp. The outside temperature for the three days was in the low 90s. No telling how hot it was on court side.
The girls played a total of 11 games in 3 days and continue to execute and reduce the mistakes from the previous camp.
So why do I like girls basketball? Not once did I hear the girls complain about the heat, not once did I hear anyone want to go home and not once did I hear anyone groan about getting home at 10:00 pm and getting back the next day for a 9:00 AM game.
As I walked through the different courts and saw the various teams (over 30) relaxing between games I never heard loud music, loud voices or foul language. I wish I could same the same for boys camps.
It's also gratifying to sit and talk with our team coaches about basketball, everyone has input and they compliment each other very well.
Each one learns from the other and each week their collective knowledge grows.
The girls now get a 2 week downtime with no coaching or practices (w/basketball) with 3 or more players. CLIC PICS to ENLARGE
The girls are planning their own conditioning program to get ready for tryouts Monday August 14th.
I hope to join a few sessions so I can lose a few pounds. I'm really proud of the seniors and how they take charge and make sure everyone is doing OK.
Thanks Ladies!
Most of the country has been in a heat wave for the past few days. Today we are predicted to hit 95 degrees (F). Yesterday we tied a record at 97.
I met the ladies at the track this morning and they wasted little time to start their stretching. They all ran a mile under 9:30 (min/sec) and continued with various exercises, sprints, shuffles and encouragement for each other.
A few blisters, slight cramps and a lake of sweat (not just from me).
No complaints no groaning and moaning the whole workout. It is so rewarding to watch these ladies outside of an organized practice to see how they care for one another. These ladies are true WARRIORS!
Each morning while the team was working out there were two gentlemen walking the track. One asked if I was a coach? I said no, just a helper.
Oh, do you have a daughter on the team? Yes, all of them and you should see the ones that are not here!
Part IV - Updated 8/08/06
I have added (9/15/06) another E to my Model.
It is called "Execute" and it comes after Empower. There must be proper Execution in order for the performance to be Excellent regardless of how much Empowerment is granted. Many Coaches Encourage and Reward Efforts regardless if there good or bad because they don't know the proper method.
Tryouts
Tryouts are always a stressful time for any athlete hoping to make the team. I was privileged to observe both the Varsity and Junior Varsity tryouts this week.
In today's sports world you can not just show up and try out and think you will make the team.
Number one you must be in condition and two come with a good attitude and be ready to work hard.
The Varsity girls went through 3 - 4 (JV - 2-3) hours of drills, exercises and scrimmaging that would put any person's head in the puke bucket if they did not take off season conditioning and practicing to heart. My admiration for these girls grows as I watch them gut it out at each practice and come back ready for more the next day.
I'm happy to report that all the girls who tried out for Varsity made the team and there will be enough girls for both a JV and Freshmen team too.
This would not have been possible without the planning, sharing, motivation and teamwork of all the coaches. A great staff and an efficient system is being built.
It is so neat to see past players coming back to coach and share their knowledge with the girls. Great Role Models!
Pre-Season ratings were announced today (8/23) in the Detroit Free Press by the Son of Swami (SOS).
Unfortunately or fortunately our team or players did not get any mention. I'm not to surprised by the team non-rating because we are moving up a class but we have some "really" good players. At least two of them should have gotten mentioned.
I am happy for a good friend of mine (P.A.) whose team was rated number one in the state.
I hope to comment again about this at the end of the season because I did send and Email to SOS and he responded in a timely fashion telling me he would have rated two of our players if they were good enough to be rated.
I was reminded from a friend about not putting additional pressure on players because of what is stated or not stated in the newspaper or other peoples opinion. What matters most is the people who are closest to you and care the most about you as a person and not just a player.
The coaches did a good thing in setting up a 3-way scrimmage prior to the season opening next week. Most scrimmages give you the opportunity to work on some last minute gaps in offense and defense and it provides some banging and in your shirt defense that sometimes does not always happen in practice. This scrimmage was no exception.
Many of the girls were frustrated with their performance, but that is OK because they wanted to know what to improve and they also had a good idea what that was prior to their coaches telling them what they thought. Some had off nights shooting and questioned me what was wrong. Nothing I replied just keep playing and shooting when you have a good shot.
These girls are prepared and ready, their hard work and talent will take over and they will be fine.
Coaches need to remember to realize that is difficult to try and fix everthing at once, but you can do "something" at once. Prioritize the opportunities for improvement and make sure you are not concentrating on symptoms rather than causes.
Intensity ladies, it must be focused and executed through out the game. Stop thinking so much and allow your mind and body to do what they have been taught through practice and repetition. HAVE FUN!
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