Fun is the Name of the Game

Today's blog post was written by Jewell Loyd.  Jewell is a junior majoring in Film, Television, and Theater at the University of Notre Dame.  She is also a student in the Social Foundations of Coaching course taught by Play Like a Champion Today founder Professor Clark Power and Program Director Kristin Sheehan.  Jewell is also a guard on the ACC Champion Notre Dame Women's Basketball Team.

Fun is the Name of the Game

photo courtesy of 247sports

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word 'kids'? For me it is the word "fun." Have you ever asked a kid why they do something? This could be as simple as why they are writing on the wall, jumping in puddles, or playing in the mud? My guess is that the response would be something along the lines of "because it's fun."  Having fun is a key part of life. It can be overlooked, but in sports that is what drives and motivates people to play hard.

  

Growing up, I stayed at parks playing with my friends. Enjoying every basketball game, every game of tag, water fights--anything that kept us moving. My friends and I shared so many laughs and great memories at these parks. Little did I know that every time I went to the park, I was improving my skills. I was getting better everyday. I did whatever I could to go to the park because it was the highlight of my day. Having fun with my friends and playing sports was the best of both worlds. 

photo courtesy of indystar.com

I began to play tennis and I become really good at it.  However, I was also playing in tournaments every weekend, driving to unknown places, getting up early and not getting home till late. That's a lot to ask of a nine year old kid. Don't get me started on practice. Waking up at the crack of dawn, doing the same drills over and over every single day. I never got a chance to go to the park anymore, I never had time to hang out with my friends and have fun anymore. I was always busy. 

I remember one day, I was supposed to be at a baseball game with my friends, but I had tennis practice. I could hear and see my friends through the fence. I saw laughing and smiles and everyone having a great time. Then there was me, locked in the fenced in court-- no smiles, no laughter.  That's when I made my decision. I quit. I told my parents that I didn't want to play tennis anymore. I wanted to have fun and enjoy what I was doing. Playing tennis had become work; it was not fun for me anymore. When I was on the basketball court with my friends I fell in love with the game. It was fun. I worked hard at it because I enjoyed everything that came with it. When kids aren't having fun, that's a problem. The sport has to be fun and enjoyable for them to succeed. Once it turns into a job, the passion is gone and there is nothing to drive them. When you're having fun, all the rewards and everything that comes from hard work will follow.

photo courtesy of espn.go.com