Dream BiG Kiddo and fall in L💙VE with hard work!

@Rachel Heller This is something I can relate to. When I was a younger player in elementary & middle school, if my pre-game routine was interrupted due to external factors out of my control, it would affect me as well. I received the best advice from an older player who could see I was struggling. He told me to build a pre-game routine that could not be affected by anything or anyone else. For example, if I needed a snack after school and before my game, it was my responsibility to pack a snack for myself the night before or get up 10 minutes earlier to pack it for myself. That way, there was no surprise if my parents forgot to pack me a snack...that's enough to throw a kiddo off. Same thing with making sure she has all her "comfort" gear like the right pair of socks, shoes...hair ties. If you empower her to be self-reliant, there will be less mishaps in her routine and less struggles before the game. The goal is to eliminate as many of the outside or external factors/circumstances as possible. The same goes for actual basketball routines, shots or ball handling or even having proper time to warm up before the game starts. I have been in gyms where there were no extra hoops to shoot on or warm up before my games. When I was younger, this was an issue for me. As I got older, I understood that all I needed was a basketball. I could warm up my shot by shooting the ball into the air and visualizing it going into the basket. I could pass my ball against the wall or with a teammate. I could go outside of the gym and find a hallway, front entryway, or sidewalk that I could warm up my "handle" by building in a ball handling routine that was just for me. On the other hand: These little struggles that are happening because something didn't go absolutely perfect in her pre-game routine, are healthy. It's part of learning how to deal with adversity. Explaining to her that basketball is a game of mistakes (the team that makes the least amount of mistakes usually wins) and there will certainly be mistakes, challenges and adversity during the games, which are also going to be out of her control and will not be perfect, but she will have to make adjustments on the fly and figure it out...same thing.

@Rachel Heller That's rad! Give her reminders like, even Steph Curry (the best shooter in the history of the game) misses MORE THAN half of the 3 pointers he takes. Reframe what success looks like! Emphasize a growth mindset vs. a fixed (linear) mindset!

@Rachel Heller Thank you for your kind words. It does not do much good if you have the knowledge but don't pass it forward. I had many amazing coaches and people around me that supported my basketball career, I feel a duty to pass it forward. I love that you are so open to learn, those girls are lucky to have you!

@Joana Isabel Balino Chrissy is an awesome person to follow on social media. She is extremely smart and highly experienced. Great stuff!

@Mark Jess Bernaldez I love the example of servant leadership for the young people in your community!