Church ball done right

Mormons get a bad rep over church basketball–and not undeservedly so. But where we currently live they’re doing a lot to clean things up. No adults are allowed to play until they go through training on the rules–and they’re expected to be able to step in as referees. They also have both teams read aloud a statement on good sportsmanship before each game, and the referees remind any people watching that they are expected to abide by certain behaviors as well. It’s really sad it’s even necessary, but it seems to be working. I don’t know, to be honest. I’ve not been to a church basketball game in about ten years.

But I’ve begun going to watch my twelve-year-old son. Our ward has so few young men that they need most of the boys, regardless of age or skill or height, to show up in order to even field a team. And while we do have a couple of taller, skilled boys, their attendance is intermittent. So everyone plays, no matter what.

Surprisingly enough, these tend to be laid back games. The last two have been mismatches from the get-go, with the other team averaging at least a foot taller than our team, and at least a couple years more. And both of the other teams have been totally cool. After they play long enough to assess the mismatch they’ve backed off, not guarded so aggressively, not driven for the basket as hard, etc., and given our boys a chance. They don’t stop playing, mind you, but they actually seem like they’re as interested in our boys developing their skills as we are. They certainly cheer as much for our team as they do for their own.

Perhaps that might change if it ever becomes a close game, though our first game was close initially and everyone was still keeping their heads and being good sports. The effect on my son has been fun to watch. He’s having fun playing. He’s gaining confidence and experience. He’s learning to play more heads up ball. It helps that we’ve got a good coach who is interested in developing the boys’ skills more than winning, as well. Who knows, if it had been more like this when I was that age, perhaps I’d have liked basketball more and become better at it.

So while church ball may have a bad rep, it’s not earned where we live. At least not among the youth. If my son is having fun, they must be doing something right.