Austin's 1st Day of Basketball

Friday was Austin's first day of basketball at the Indiana Basketball Academy. It seems like most kids his age are starting to play soccer, but he really hasn't been all that interested in that, and not surprisingly, he loves basketball. I checked out a couple of places and asked some people, and they highly recommended this preschool basketball class that meets once a week. It is led by Tom Abernathy, a former IU player on the 1976 undefeated team. I was really impressed with the way he and his assistant Andrew, taught the kids, but had such a good way with them. There must have been about 15 four or five year olds so it is a handful.

They worked a lot on dribbling, pivoting, and some shooting on lowered goals. They all use junior sized balls. Austin took it very serious (not a surprise)! He needs to understand you have to keep your dribble going without picking it up. Also, pretty funny when they lined up on the baseline and were supposed to dribble to the other end, Austin thought it was a race and just bolted to the other end. He did a much better job after Tom explained to him what they were doing. Interesting, for as reserved as he can be, he never hesitated to raise his hand and try to do whatever they were asking, even when he didn't know how to do it.

After a lot of dribble work, and some shooting, they got to play in a "real" game. He wasn't sure what to really do for the first time up and down the court, but caught on pretty quick. He was one of the very first up and down the court each time. He doesn't get his speed from me, but he looked pretty fast! He scored 1 point by hitting the net on a shot. Tom did a great job of making sure each kid gets to shoot during the game. There aren't a whole lot of made baskets, and Austin was guilty of guarding his own teammates, but pretty fun to watch! Considering I was in like the 5th grade before I ever played in a game, what a head start!

All in all, he did a great job for the first time in an organized situation. The class has been meeting for 4 times already, so he is coming in a little late. He also was the only kid to bring basketball shoes and his own basketball...If he is going to play, he might as well do it right. Notice the multi colored ball in the pictures. That is his!

Hopefully, he will practice dribbling without picking it up this week! I was really glad that I could be there for his first time. Unfortunately, I won't be able to be at every one, but I hope to surprise him when I can.

Enjoy the pictures!