Today was the Tamaki cluster softball tournament, and my first sports tournament ever. I never played sports as a child, and this hasn't changed as I went into adulthood.
However, I wanted to make a conscious effort to go out of my comfort zone (read my goals for 2017 here). So I volunteered to coach the year 5 and 6 softball teams.
This has meant that for three weeks, I have had a softball training almost every lunchtime. This has been hard on me personally as I haven't been eating lunch properly and taking that break, making me more tired for the afternoon block of learning and also messes with my eating schedule.
I am glad I did sign up for it, as I have learnt a lot about the game of softball and of course have gotten to know my kids better as well.
My focus for the year 5 team was for them to learn how to play. I purposely made them rotate often through the various 'roles' in the team, even during the competition. I wanted them to build confidence in themselves and their physical ability, and the focus was about getting better, not being the best. This rotation was a focus for the year 6's as well, rather than them having 'set' roles in the team. This definitely did happen - every single child got better, wether at batting or catchingor pitching.
The next sport is cricket (starting next week!) and I am looking forward to learning more about the sport (ala, I know nothing..) and continuing to build strong relationships with my students through this extra activity.
Sounds and looks awesome! Good on you for stepping out of your comfort zone. Sport has so many positive affordances. Let me know if you would like a hand with anything - striking and fielding is my weakness though! Keep up the good work, just don't forget to get them to play during trainings, not only throwing and catching to each other. If you read about the Teaching Games for Understanding model (TGfU), which is widely known, this discusses the importance of training in modified games, and high pressure situations, so the athletes are more prepared for the game situation. :)
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