Round 1 with my girls started with a bunch of paperwork and getting ready, then the game finally started. I was head half down, half watching the game while I sorted out what my new player, who I had just met, knew about the game, and 2 mins later we were 6-0 up on the scoreboard!

The game went well, the girls played well and the opposition had 2 or 3 players who had never played before, so the 32-8 (I think) final score was probably not indicative of the rest of the season (and not necessarily a great thing in a grading game) but it was a great start to the season and a good chance for the girls to play together.

We also have another new player who we haven’t even met yet.

I was speaking to a basketball coach I admire a lot, and his biggest tip for teaching the age group I’m coaching was to teach then not to all swarm around the ball.

Be if offence or defence, there is no point having 5 players around the ball, If you have the ball, there’s no one to pass to and if you are defending then you are likely leaving leaving loose players, or in the event that you get a turnover, you still have no-one to pass to.

I’m not sure how I’ll install that in to U10’s but we will give it a go once I’m happy that everyone is moving in the right direction with basics.