Don't worry, this isn't another post about poorly aimed slingshots, or guns falling apart, or words taking on a life of their own once you speak them. This post is about getting 8 year-olds to do my bidding. =)
In my youth I took one season of tennis lessons and played on several teams. I wasn't great, but with the right motivation (girls watching) I held my own on the court. I also played other sports--at school, through the local boy's/girl's club, and pick-up games at the local park. When I turned 15, the boy's club instituted a new requirement--parents volunteer to help OR pay a sizeable fee for their children to participate. My clever (and thrifty) dad found a way around that. He registered me to teach 8 year-olds how to play tennis. I thought it was going to be awful. I was wrong.
The kids turned out to be fun and we had fun together. However, they didn't warm up to my co-coach (Chuck). He was a fellow I'd known since elementary school. We were friendly, but not really friends. He was very stiff, didn't have much of a sense of humor, and thought he was the best tennis player in the world (he was a very poor sport when my partner and I beat him in a mixed doubles tournament). Unfortunately, that inspired the kids and me (in a bad way). During the 2nd lesson, we split the kids into two groups, with my group working on how to serve the ball. They picked it up surprisingly well. So well that I decided to give them a target...you know, just to help them work on their control. I had the boys line up and all attempt their serves at the same time. If they hit the target, they won.
The target was Chuck.
While the kids couldn't hit the ball hard enough to hurt anyone, it was annoying for Chuck to have 10 tennis balls come flying at him unexpectedly all at once (as the kids laughed hysterically). That short season seemed a little longer to him, since that happened a time or two (or 6) before our work was done. Adult Rick feels bad about setting that in motion. I meant it in a teasing way, not a mean way, but Chuck probably couldn't tell the difference.
Soooo, if you have kids and sign them up for organized sports, pay attention to the coach. He/she could be a good or bad influence in ways big and small.
PS - I just learned from Kathy (Vodka and Soda) that girls gang up on each other in different ways.
That's a hilarious way to learn how to serve. I need a human target for my own practice. Someone I dislike would guarantee some professional speed serving
ReplyDeleteHaha, yes, there's nothing like that to help motivate and focus a person!
DeleteAww poor guy, he can't help that he was no fun ;)
ReplyDeleteThe unspoken message here is that they liked me! lol
DeleteHope that loosened him up a bit! ;)
ReplyDeleteNot before we lost contact, but hopefully he did loosen up. He was a serious kid--more serious than I was!!!
DeleteHindsight comes with lots of realizations! :D
ReplyDeleteAt least I wasn't a completely boring kid--although, I was pretty boring!
DeleteAhhh now I know why I'm bad at tennis. I should have practiced with a target in mind!!! haha
ReplyDeleteGive it another try, using this form of motivation. :)
DeleteIf girls just served tennis balls at the person they weren't a fan of...the world would be a more pleasant place.... World peace could be on its way...'nuff said :)
ReplyDeleteYES! Those tennis balls would be flying like heat-seeking missiles.
DeleteMy opinion of you sinks a bit lower with every post. :-) Just kidding!
ReplyDeleteIt's what I deserve and what I assume will happen every time I post about one of my bad (not horrible, but not good) actions. Catholic guilt is really something! =)
DeleteSo were you a good influence or bad influence... by teaching the kids to throw balls at adults?? Haha JK! :) But that is pretty fun. I want to learn how to play tennis. I have a racket that I've only used.... probably twice. It would be cool if I could play. My racket is pink and white. Extra cool.
ReplyDeleteI was a bad influence for behaving and a good influence for having fun! The other coach and I were both only 15.
DeleteI've never ridden a motorcycle on a highway either! I'm not that brave haha.
ReplyDeleteI never had a license, so I don't know if I could ride a motorcycle on a highway that was packed with traffic.
Deletetennis -___- i was so horrible in tennis. me and my partner were always at the bottom of the list. well that and because we always just messed around, but still! lol
ReplyDeleteMt wife is terrible too. Either she's my worst student or I'm a worse teacher when she's the student. :)
DeleteI never played organized sports growing up! I guess I don't have much experience on that... I did swimming and I think that was it!?
ReplyDeleteYou missed out on having other parents yell at you for no reason??? LOL, it was a good experience...I learned to ignore criticism and praise from people who didn't know what they were talking about.
Deletehaha.. rick...how could you??? hahaha :) But the kids had fun. 11's happiness vs 1? Haha :) Hope Chuck is okay though...I know some who can carry a grudge forever... :(
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen him in years...I hope he's not having nightmares about tiny tennis players. =)
DeleteThe image of 10 tennis balls come flying at Chuck somehow reminds me of Dennis the Menace with you being Dennis leading the pack. You really have lots of fun growing up!
ReplyDeleteI was too responsible to be Dennis, but one other blog friend called me that before...so it might be true. :)
Deletehaha I guess that's something I have to look forward to when Ryu's old enough to join some sports teams, haha.
ReplyDeleteI read Kathy's post as well with her daughter and yea women definitely are different from men as far as ganging up on someone haha.
It's really boys who just want to have fun! :)
DeleteHahahaha! Rick! You didn't?! Hahahaha. Wish I coulda seen that. My lovey is addicted to tennis. I was telling him about this post of yours and he was laughing!
ReplyDeleteI'm not a prank type of person, but that was fun. :P
DeleteHahah, this was such a great story! Mischievous kids with their mischievous coach. What a great combination. :)
ReplyDeleteI just stumbled upon your blog, and I really like it! Your anecdotes are great. ^^ Would you like to follow each other? ~x
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