Introspection is the cognitive ability that enables individuals to assess and articulate their emotional state at any particular moment by answering the question, "How do I feel?"
In almost every aspect of life, I have realized the importance of maintaining a delicate equilibrium between mental preparedness and physical preparedness. In August 2022, I assessed that Amarion, a 7-year-old, was prepared to tryout for a club basketball team. Even though he was competing for a spot on the U11 division, against peers who were 4 years older than he was, it was mutually believed that he was adequately prepared for the next level. Or so we thought.
Amarion First Basketball Tryout with Rise
It was approximately eight months since the commencement of this journey. Amarion had gotten to a point where he loved everything about the grind. From the dedication displayed during early morning workouts, to the perseverance exhibited in every drill, to the no-days-off mentality, to the initiative taken to put in additional work even in solitude. Amarion had cultivated a mindset that emphasizes the importance of earning everything, rather than expecting things to be given freely.
After some research, we decided to tryout for Rise Basketball. The two-day tryouts took place at the end of August, 2022. In preparation for his first ever tryouts, I conducted rigorous early morning training sessions with Amarion. Additionally, I imparted valuable insights regarding the essential qualities required for selection, including demonstrating a strong work ethic, assertiveness, vocal communication on defense, and showing support for teammates, among others. However, it felt like Amarion wasn't receptive of all the knowledge on the day of his tryouts. In that particular instance, I perceived that all the time invested in training him over hours, days, and months seemed pointless. It was the first time when I began to consider that basketball might not be his forte.
I was astounded by the scene unfolding before me. During the warm-up session, Amarion successfully executed every layup and jump shot, feeling confident and prepared to excel. However, when the teams were divided for full-court games, Amarion appeared to struggle and feel out of sync with the gameplay. He would catch the basketball and immediately passed it up like he was playing a game of hot potato. Furthermore, he consistently sought validation from me regarding his efforts rather than concentrating on his performance. The tryouts did not unfold as anticipated, leading me to believe that I had not met the expectations as my son's basketball trainer.
Experience is the Best Teacher
I have always believed that experiences serves as the most effective teacher. This is a principle that I consistently relay to Amarion. After the second day of tryouts ended, it was clear that he was unlikely to make the U11 team because he lacked enough experience. Even though we didn't anticipate that outcome of his tryouts, I provided reassurance that he can always discover victories within his failures. The situation provided a valuable learning opportunity for both of us. While Amarion displayed proficiency, he had yet to fully comprehend the principles of team-oriented basketball. He lacked the knowledge of how to effectively utilize his skillset within the context of a basketball game. Upon inquiring about how he felt, he acknowledged the room for improvement, demonstrating commendable dedication in readying himself both physically and mentally for the next tryouts. I found his response to be a source of pride, as it provided me with the necessary mental fortitude to persist in guiding him through his basketball journey. After the tryouts, the club director of Rise, Kelvin Dela Peña, had shared feedback with us, suggesting that Amarion should participate in their in-house recreational league to engage with other children who are new to the sport of basketball. I agreed with this recommendation as it presents a valuable opportunity for Amarion to develop his skills in a team basketball setting over an 8-week period.
Want to support Amarion's journey? Collect all of his autographed fan cards.
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