Dad Entry #183

Last night, Megan and I were talking about coaching. Megan told me I was pretty good but then added, "If I could pick any coach, I would pick God." I said, "Oh, yeah, He might even be better than Phil Jackson."

While driving them to school this morning, I said to the kids, “I love you guys. I think before I was born God asked me who I wanted for kids when I got older and I pointed at you two and said, ‘I really want that one and that one. Uh, please.’” Michael said, “I don’t think that’s how it works.” I said, “Well how does it work then?” Michael said, “I think they let the kid choose the dad.” Despite his characteristic matter-of-factness (in all likelihood, Michael intended to logically describe a process more than compliment his old man), it was a cool thing to hear from my son. Thank you, Michael. 

Megan has scored multiple baskets in every game except her first. It took one game for her to learn she could shine. She’s tall and athletic; that’s an auspicious combo in hoops. She’s also whiny. At some point, she's blamed, criticized, or groused about everything you would expect, including:

(1) The referees

(2) The other team

(3) The other coach (if the other team is mean, and it goes unnoticed, (1), (2), and (3) are simultaneously complained about)

(4) Her coach (yeah, that’s me)

(5) Her shoes (I know from my own playing days, you need light, comfy, floor-gripping shoes, but Meg's episode was more Carrie Bradshaw than anything; she bellyached about not having her other pair of tennies, probably for fashion reasons)

(6) The girl she matches up with

Regarding (6), each girl is assigned an opposing player to guard on defense and directly battle on offense. And battles do ensue. These seven- and eight-year-olds get ornery! Most are nasty-stingy defenders, with less regard for personal space than Beijing subway riders. On a weekly basis, I see first-grade girls, cuter than baby giraffes, gouge each other in the face. My players are delightful and adorable and tough. It's perfect. Of course, we emphasize sportsmanship, and maybe a kind of un-ruthlessness, but only if we're winning :)