Jump Ball!

I’ve spent the past two months battling a very common physical condition affectionately known as bleacher butt. After years of waiting, our daughter finally reached the required age where she could begin her youth basketball career. As the first official season to play the sport against another team, keeping score, and tracking fouls just like the big leagues got underway, she realized it was just what she was hoping for. It involved everything she loved….competition, ball handling, fast-paced action, and of course social time with her teammates. It wasn’t quite the same as one-on-one with her brother on their make-shift half court in the garage; nonetheless, she was in heaven.

It was during that very first game that I noticed a yet to be learned skill; the concept of fighting for that jump ball hadn’t come alive just yet. Our girls were still displaying those first rules of the playground that we as parents tried so hard to teach them when they were young. We’d closely watch the interaction between the children, and promptly step in when our child would try to claim a toy that another was playing with. We’d find ourselves repeating over and over again, “Don’t take toys away from other kids.” And now, how many years later, we see them doing just as we taught them on the court…we should be so proud. At the first sense that the other team would get their hands on the ball our girls would instinctively let go, giving up an opportunity for a “jump ball”; a possession change. They were just doing what they knew, what was polite, what they felt was the right thing to do.

But, let’s take a timeout and consider the power of this important skill. As we go through life and begin to realize our dreams and goals, how many of us simply let go and give up the control when someone comes by and starts to steal it away? Do we give up too easily and relinquish an opportunity all together, or do we firmly plant our feet and hold on tight with both hands in order to show them we’ve got the confidence to stay in the game? In order to reach the goals we set for ourselves we’ve got to learn to stay with those “jump ball” situations.

Now fast forward a mere two months to the last game of the season. It was obvious that somewhere along the way our girls realized the benefits that come from a “jump ball” situation. They confidently wrapped their arms around the ball and hung on with all their might. At the end of the game they had a ton of possession changes and a win under their belt. It was empowering to see the fearless look on their faces as they sought out the opportunities to go after the ball and most importantly held on tight until the whistle blew; signaling a JUMP BALL!

Yes, my butt will soon be back to normal. It was certainly a season that we’ll remember. It wasn’t about tracking wins and losses, but a season for the entire team to learn the basics, understand the rules, master the skills, and gain the confidence that will benefit them for the rest of their lives. And, we adults may have even learned a thing or two along the way. Remember to plant your feet, wrap your arms around that dream and hang on with all your might until you hear the sound of that whistle signaling you did it!

Jenny,
Sister of Soul

Soulspiration of Week:

A winner is someone who recognizes his God-given talents, works his tail off to develop them into skills, and uses these skills to accomplish his goals. ~ Larry Bird