Parents Just Dont Under Stand

Okay ladies, I know some of you will feel me on this one.  I was going to write this directly to the parent's but this is all about guiding you. Of course if they are into reading this blog then they will get the right information that they need to be able to understand what I'm talking about. 

Okay so, you've made it on the team! Congratulations! You're all excited, your family is excited, its all good right? Well not for some of you out there . And trust me I know what your going through. (OFF COURT) Parental Coaching! Oh my goodness if they only really knew what it does to us, they would tone it down a whole lot! If you don't have a parent like this, then you definitely have seen or HEARD one in the crowd. 

You know what I'm talking about, the parent in the crowd yelling, "Awww, you missed a layup! ", or "Step it up, get into the game". Yea I know they want you to be the best, but that is the coaches job, not theirs. I'm not trying to put any excited parents down, but it gets really tough when your just learning the game, or your already trying to prove yourself and you get singled out by YOUR OWN PARENT! Its already bad enough when you get singled out in practice every day, but to have your own family upset because you missed a lay up, or double dribbled, is not a great motivator (for the majority). 

My mother used to tell me I wouldn't eat if we lost a game. I'm grateful that we had a great team and sometimes that wasn't an issue, but we did lose and I was literally afraid to tell my mother that. I mean I wasn't scared of my mother, but I just didn't want to disappoint her.

I've been in games where my focus was more in the crowd rather than on the court. I've seen the times my mother walked out if we were losing, and I've also seen the other faces in the crowd too. Don't get me wrong, I was very happy when my mother came to my games, it was a rare event and I wanted to show her what I've got. But to get in the car afterwards and be critiqued by my performance, knowing she's never played a day in her life, It kinda wore me down. This might apply mostly to the younger players. 

Let me give you another scenario just so I can be sure I have every one's attention.

You're in the game, the coach just created a new play, so you're already confused, the play is to basically pass the ball around 5 times and then you get the ball and go for the lay up, you're only down by one. You're excited and confused because you're the one to win the game. So now the time out is over and your ready to first remember the brand new play and make this lay up. The ball is passed once, twice, three times, four, then its in your hands and your father jumps out of his seat and says SHOOT IT!! Everything you just learned was erased and you throw up a ugly, scared, and confused 3 point shot.

Now it doesn't matter at this point if you've made the shot or not. If you did, great shot! Luck was definitely on your side, if you didn't, ohhh your in a world of hurt. Now the coach on either side of that final outcome would probably be upset, especially if your in junior high or high school. The coach would be upset because he designed something for you, that you have probably been killing on all night long! But your saying, but my dad, yes I know your dad's voice really rang through that crowd, but sometimes you have to ignore, even your dad. 

This isn't easy at all, but it will become very natural the more you play. You have to learn to not be distracted by ANYTHING outside the court. This is your time to play, your time to shine and if you mess up, its okay~! YOU'RE LEARNING!! Everyone misses a shot, every one misses a lay up from elementary to the NBA. It takes practice to be the best, and that even means mental practice ( hence the mental toughness post). 

I learned to clock out everyone except my teammates and my coaches. I could hear then in a roaring crowd of taunts, and boos and horns. I know it came from focus, and mental toughness, and being yelled at  a few times by many coaches to keep my eyes and ears out the crowd. It pays off too. Once you get this technique down you will notice a lot more shots going in the basket, and a lot more teammates calling your name for the ball. It helps greatly with free throws too. Anyone can say anything and all you can hear is, yourself concentrating on perfect form. 

So to all my young players out there, this is the one time that you can ignore the "voices" outside the court. Understand the game is on, and practice is over! Play your game, improve your self, and focus on whats going on. You will have a significant change in your game! 

Feel free to ask me any questions , leave comments, and definitely subscribe to this blog. 

As I said before I'm here to give you my story, my advice and my love for basketball as you girls have. 

I'm excited and cant wait till the next time... keep ballin' girl, the games not over yet! 

Mone't ( but you can call me Moe)