Our first day at trials
Addam had his first trials at North Sydney today.
There were about 50 kids all up, over two courts.
Addam's Nana and her friend, Joan, came along with us.
It was really pleasing to see people so interested in him.
He started the session fairly low key, just getting up and down the court towards the back of the group as they tore up and down (well they did tell them to go slowly) but keeping all his basic skills nicely together with his left and right side.
During a lay-up drill he chatted to one of the coaches and he seemed to be getting along really well with some of the kids who were there.
But when it came to half court games he shone. He was rebounding hard* (thank goodness!) ripping the ball and always looking for the good pass. Defensively he did very well.
In the last team he played against there was a big guy who was very strong rebounder. He was clearly older than Addam. He ripped the ball from Addam the first two times but there was no way he was going to do it again. Addam played it very hard after that.
I briefly chatted with the division one coach, who recognised us from the representative season this year.
He asked: "Are you Addam's dad?"
It's quite clear there are a few eyes on him.
What really stood out for me was that Addam was always dribbling with his head up looking for a pass. And he made some beauties.
It was a good solid day and on this showing I would say he is a fairly good chance for division one.
We'll wait till next week to see how he goes, because nothing is certain in this game.
I like the coach here too, he is big on fundamentals.
* Just a note about rebounding. Ths time last year Addam was really doing well rebounding. That was until a club coach told him to stay out from under the basket so he could fast break and score. At that time he was by far the only offensive threat the team had. As a result he stopped rebounding at both ends. It has taken almost a year to get him rebounding again. Once he gets his timing he is really strong, and if he pulls down a rebound he can do a hook shot with both hands, jump shoot out to the three-point line, put back or pass. Not bad for a nine-year-old.
There were about 50 kids all up, over two courts.
Addam's Nana and her friend, Joan, came along with us.
It was really pleasing to see people so interested in him.
He started the session fairly low key, just getting up and down the court towards the back of the group as they tore up and down (well they did tell them to go slowly) but keeping all his basic skills nicely together with his left and right side.
During a lay-up drill he chatted to one of the coaches and he seemed to be getting along really well with some of the kids who were there.
But when it came to half court games he shone. He was rebounding hard* (thank goodness!) ripping the ball and always looking for the good pass. Defensively he did very well.
In the last team he played against there was a big guy who was very strong rebounder. He was clearly older than Addam. He ripped the ball from Addam the first two times but there was no way he was going to do it again. Addam played it very hard after that.
I briefly chatted with the division one coach, who recognised us from the representative season this year.
He asked: "Are you Addam's dad?"
It's quite clear there are a few eyes on him.
What really stood out for me was that Addam was always dribbling with his head up looking for a pass. And he made some beauties.
It was a good solid day and on this showing I would say he is a fairly good chance for division one.
We'll wait till next week to see how he goes, because nothing is certain in this game.
I like the coach here too, he is big on fundamentals.
* Just a note about rebounding. Ths time last year Addam was really doing well rebounding. That was until a club coach told him to stay out from under the basket so he could fast break and score. At that time he was by far the only offensive threat the team had. As a result he stopped rebounding at both ends. It has taken almost a year to get him rebounding again. Once he gets his timing he is really strong, and if he pulls down a rebound he can do a hook shot with both hands, jump shoot out to the three-point line, put back or pass. Not bad for a nine-year-old.
posted by Alvin at 8:18 PM
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