I know the picture is slightly small but this is a group of 7th and 8th graders learning some basketball drills. In this exact picture the kids are doing what is called Circles. To do circles you put your feet together and make circles around both of your legs. Then you circle around your back, and around the head. Then you combine all of the moves together and go around the head, neck, back, knees, and ankles. You must do this as fast as you can with out touching your body and using only your finger tips. This drill sounds difficult, but in all actuality it is quiet simple especially once you get the hang of it. I can practically do this drill with my eyes closed. You can see videos of this drill on youtube when you look up ball handling skills. This is one of the fundamental skills that every beginning basketball player will learn how to do. Some people just believe in shooting three pointers, but what most players do not realize is that you will shoot more two point shots than three point shots. If a player knows the fundamentals of playing basketball a coach is more likely to respect the player more. Besides every thing else can be taught.
Basketball is not just a sport it is also a way of life! Basketball can teach you so many things that you can use in your everyday life. Basketball teaches you how to communicate which is what every relationship needs whether it a personal or professional relationship. In basketball requires players to speak to one another on the court so each player will know where their post is and who is guarding who. Basketball also teaches you motor skills such as ball handling and you also learn control and you get exercise. With drills such as suicides where you run from one line to the next and back to where you started from. Other drills that is another form of exercise would be lunges and high knees. Basketball also teaches you how to work together and it gives you a sense of family. In kindergarten my child learn how to work with others in a group, and how to express her feelings. The same thing is done in basketball. Of course someone could say that other sports could be considered a way of life as well but basketball is the only sport besides football that every child picks up. In my opinion basketball is the only sport that is less dangerous and there are less injuries compared to football. Basketball is such a wonderful sport, because not only does it teach you how to work with others ,but it also build character. I thought that doing an internship would be a piece of cake! Guess what I was totally barking up the wrong tree. I should have known that it was not going to be easy,because I am in an online class and it is hard enough trying to balance school, a full time job and two children who are always wanting something. Then on top of that I had to do an internship man I am running around town like a chicken with my head cut off. If I do not get any more gray hairs on my head from all of this then I should try playing the lottery lol! One thing I love about my internship is that Mr. Jones is giving children an opportunity that he never had. He has helped so many kids get into college and now that he has started a semi pro league for women that is truly amazing. I am currently helping him come up with ways to advertise for the semi pro league. I find it a little upsetting to see that women in sports does not get the recognition that they deserve. There is such a lack of women in sports today and in the Columbus hidden gems there are only 2 girls in the 3-5grade category. Helping these kids achieve their goals and dreams makes me feel good about what I am doing. It just reassures me that I have chosen the right profession, and I am so grateful for this opportunity.
Today the boys were doing lunges which is an exercise that I can do without. When I asked the coach why he felt it was important for the players to do this he stated. "Doing lunges is a great way to strengthen your legs, and sometimes it can help work on flexibility in you hips". Basketball players do a lot of twisting, pivoting and squatting so this is also good for their lower back. Personally in my mind basketball players should just do yoga, because it stretches and works out everything lol! The lunges can be performed with ankle weights, dumbbells, or barbells. Today the boys are not using anything, because the coach wanted them to focus on the technique.
This is the 6th to 8th grade boys doing some high knee drills. I apologize that the picture is not the best it is hard to capture a great shot when the boys are moving. High Knees is where a player will push their knees up as high as possible while keeping their shoulders back so they can have good posture while performing this drill. This is a nice warm up drill that will help condition a player and get their blood circulating. I had the honor of trying out this drill with the boys and I must say that it was fun, but hard work because I have terrible posture. Once I got the hang of things I became pretty good at it, and now I warm up with them every Saturday.
The Columbus Hidden Gems holds their Hidden Gems Academy every Saturday at the Ultimate Sports Center which is located at 1220 Steelwood Road. Each time frame for the academy has a different age/grade group. The time frames are: 9:30am-11am 3rd-5th grade, 11am-1pm 6th-8th grade, 1pm-3pm 9th -10th grade, 3pm-5pm 11th grade, and 5pm-7pm 12th grade. The cost for registration is $75.00 and for 3rd-5th grade it is $45.00.
Columbus Hidden Gems believes that everyone should have the chance to do something they love at a reasonable price and if someone can not afford it then they can apply for a scholarship. That is why Hidden Gems has been able to be so successful. On October 11th 2014 at Thomas Worthington High School in Worthington, Ohio. The Columbus Hidden Gems had their annual Hidden Gems Showcase for Middle School and High School kids. There was around 200 kids playing basketball and there were approximately 49 colleges, website writers, scouts and photographers there as well. Bev who is located on the right side of the page in this picture was in charge of registration at the showcase. On the left hand side is Jim, Mike, and Carol who were assisting me with the concession stand. Some of the items at the concession stand was candy, sloppy joes, pizza, and the crowd favorite walking taco's. There was a skill challenge which started at 1:30pm, 3 point shoot out category at 2:00pm, and a Slam Dunk Contest which started at 2:30pm along with the basketball games. I must say the overall event was a success. I can not wait until next year.
This is Jordan and Ty demonstrating the Catch and Shoot process. Catch and Shoot is where a child or a player is ready for the ball and someone throws the ball which is (Jordan) to another player which is (Ty). Jordan throws the ball to Ty and she shoots the ball instantly without dribbling the ball. Then the person who shoots the ball will go to the end of the baset and throw the ball to the next player in line
This is Greg Simpson he was a former Ohio State Basketball player. If you do not recognize the name you might remember him by his nickname. People would call him "Ohio's Mr. Basketball", because he won that title two years in a row in 1991-1992. Greg volunteered his time with the kids today. He ran a couple of drills with the 6-8th graders. He discussed how learning the fundamentals of basketball is important. Greg told the kids that everyone wants to shoot three pointers, and advised they will make more two pointers than three's in a game. Mr. Simpson has a son who is in the 7th grade and he stated that he never pressured his son to play basketball or to even try it. In fact his son came to him and asked if he would train him. I must say his son is a very good player and with the help of the Hidden Gems Academy and his father he will be on the right path to greatness. |
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December 2014
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