Upwards Basket Ball

Bekah started playing basket ball this fall. She started with the local school's program, and while it was a good introduction into the world of team sports, I didn't think it was really suited for her. For those that know my daughter, she is a very strong willed, short attention spanned gal. The poor high school girls that were acting as the coaches didn't really know what to do with that combination. There were numerous times that, during practice, Rick or I would look over at the team, and they would all be doing bounce passes (or whatever other thing the high school coaches would be having the team do), and Bekah would be on the side of the court hopping over the lines, or playing with water bottles, or.... well whatever she wanted to do. And you know the kicker about the whole thing? The "coaches" let her do it! Many games, Bekah wouldn't go in to play. No reason... she just didn't want to play when it was her turn.

They do need some leeway though, she is headstrong, and they are high school kids.... they never stood a chance.

Fast forward to Upwards. Right away, it was a completely different experience. The coaches are older, have kids, know how to deal with them... so more experience. Her coaches are great. They are both very nurturing (which is good for Bekah), and one of them is her friends dad. So, he knows her, knows how she acts, and is incredibly good at redirecting her.

There have been 2 games for the Upwards season so far, and each game has been progressively better then the one before, in terms of performance for Bekah. While she still has not made a basket in the game, she is making lots in practice, and is defending really well during the game.



She is laughing and having a great time too! Priceless!

The other thing that I love about Upwards is it's Christian teachings. The games are started with a prayer, there is a devotion at halftime, and after each practice there is a devotion.



Love that!