This season Molly was called a ball hog by her coach and teammates (yes, in our "christian" basketball league), had the ball thrown at her face on purpose by the coach's daughter, (yes, in our "christian" basketball league), followed by a refusal to apologize to Molly because she wasn't sorry, (yes, in our "christian" basketball league).....
Molly and her teammates took turns playing point and bringing the ball down the court. EVERY game as soon as she crossed the center line her coach would yell, "pass it Molly, who's open?" He had told her she wasn't allowed to shoot she had to pass the ball. Well, as it went all season, she'd pick up her dribble get trapped, no one was open and she would usually turn over the ball. A coach yelling "Get open" to a bunch of eight year olds who can't even dribble without watching the ball will not help them get open. They need to be taught where to go on the court, how to move and get open. Never was this taught during practice or games. It was frustrating for Molly and for us to watch.
To make matters worse by the last game as soon as the coach's daughter crossed mid court when she was bringing in the ball he'd yell ,"Shoot it, take it all the way!" Wow, I was speechless and as you can tell am having a hard time letting this go. I am sure some people reading this may think that this is a skewed view as a mother, slightly exaggerated because it happened to my child. I am confident that you could find others who saw and heard the same things that I did during games.... you'd have to be asleep to miss this....... a coach cannot play favorites...... especially coaching his own child more favorably than others.
On a very bright note, Matthew was blessed with an extraordinary coach this season. Our kids ended up with back to back practices and his coach invited Molly to play/practice with them every week. His coach is the perfect example of a teacher who used every opportunity in practice and games to teach the kids and both Matthew and Molly greatly benefited from his teaching this year and I am SO grateful for that.
I feel like the experience Molly had this year could have easily turned off her love of the game. Had it not been for Matthew's coach, she could have easily walked away from something that she loves and is really good at. It is tough sometimes playing in rec leagues because many parents volunteer to coach who don't have any experience. I know that they want to spend time with their children, I understand that. But signing up, wearing the team shirt and buying a whistle does not make you a coach...... to coach is to teach. You need to have knowledge of the game and how to break it down in order for your players to be successful.
