Ballin Beyond Borders’ Post

Our Dragon of the Week is basketball player Paige Bueckers, as explained by the Dragonhood’s very own Dr. Jennifer Benjamin ! Dr. B points out how Paige used her time out of commission to pivot her role and find a way to continue to support her team. She won AP Player of the Year in 2021 as a freshman and after injuries in her sophomore and junior year, came back and was named an all-American. As you listen to Dr. B describe how Paige adjusted her role on the team, consider how you or one of your team members could do the same. Take some time to intentionally examine your team at work and see how you or someone on your team could change the role you play. We discussed life and career lessons from women's basketball in one of our recent webinars - make sure you sign up for updates (at our bio), so you don’t miss any other helpful discussions! Or sign up for a membership now and gain access to our webinar library! Thanks for the great example, Paige Bueckers ! 🏀💚🐉 #dragonoftheweek #selflove #basketball #empowerment #careergoals

As basketball progresses for 11-14-year-olds, the game morphs into a dance of advanced skills and heightened understanding. The budding athlete develops not only physical conditioning but also the mental dexterity needed to master position-specific training. This stage is a leap into a more strategic and conditioning-intensive form of basketball. It's where the basics become ingrained, and the players begin to see the game from a broader, more analytical perspective. Encouragement to push boundaries and explore new strategies is key to supporting young athletes through this transition. Parents and coaches, what innovative strategies or drills have you found most effective at this stage. Ballers, which position do you aspire to perfect. We would love to delve into each journey and hear your thoughts. Share your insights and engage in a community of future athletes and mentors. 🏆 #BasketballDeepDive #NextGenStars #BallisLife.

🌟 Embrace Fearlessness in Soccer 🌟 At the ACC Elite x Beast Mode Soccer camp in Virginia, I had the opportunity to share a vital message with our talented players: Play without fear. Often, young athletes play it safe, burdened by the fear of letting down coaches, teammates, or parents. This fear, rooted in ancient survival instincts, no longer serves us in the modern game. Fear was meant to protect us from dangers, but on the soccer field, it becomes a barrier. Too many players wait until their 20s or 30s to overcome this fear and truly excel. My message to our players was clear: start now. Be brave, take risks, and play freely. The most successful athletes are those who can conquer their fears and let their talents shine. At Beast Mode Soccer, we believe in developing not just technical skills, but also the mental strength to play confidently and fearlessly. Let’s encourage our youth to embrace this mindset and reach their full potential. #BeastModeSoccer #PlayWithoutFear #SoccerDevelopment #YouthAthletics #DavidCopelandSmith #ACCEliteCamp #LeadershipInSport #SoccerMindset #PlayerDevelopment

I am so proud of my high school sophomore son, Samuel Morris, for making his varsity soccer team! While I am thrilled that he gets a chance to play the sport he loves in high school, I am more excited for the qualities he's developing from being a part of this amazing group. #Friendship Playing games together, practicing, having team dinners, hang outs, has built a tremendous bond among the team. On the pitch they look out for each other. #Discipline Showing up on time for practices and games, knowing if he's late, there will be consequences. Being sportsmanlike because a yellow card means immediate "time-off" the pitch. #Teamwork They say teamwork makes the dream work! Individual brilliance can win you a one-off soccer game, but to make it deep into a tournament and be successful, you need a great team, acting as a unit. #Grit Some games are easier than others. The tough games make him dig deeper. Never give up, play until the final whistle blows! If you've played or know someone who played competitive sports in high school or college, I'd love to hear the life lessons learnt from the experience. #soccer

A recent chat with childhood friend and NYC basketball legend, Marlon Smith, reminded me of how much basketball mirrors life. Not every attempt—whether in basketball or in our careers—will be successful. Each miss teaches us something valuable. It’s an opportunity to adjust your stance, check your foot placement, and refine your technique. The key is to keep shooting, keep learning, and keep improving. Players routinely confront physical limits and strategic defenses like double teams. Their perseverance through these challenges often spells their success. To my fellow professionals: KEEP SHOOTING. Let's bring this resilience from the basketball court into our careers. Embrace challenges, learn from setbacks, and persist in your goals. It’s not about how many times you miss, but how often you keep trying. Keep shooting! I’d love to hear how you apply the lessons learned in sports to your professional journey. Share your story! I love basketball. 🏀 #Perseverance #Basketball #CareerGoals

You get on a basketball court and you are fully exposed. You have to improvise every movement and trust that the work you have put in during practice will hold you up during a game. Between 5th and 12 grade, I attended countless practices, tournaments, trainings, and team meetings. It was my life. Basketball 🏀 taught me how to be in relationship with my body, mind and spirit. How to lead a group of people, how to be accountable to a collective, how to communicate in tough moments, how to lose, how to be the only girl in a sea of boys, and how to trust my grit. Confidence is practiced and earned on a court. Over and over and over and over again. Nothing and no one can take away the power of being a raised a baller. I want you to have the tools to practice unwavering confidence in your craft and your professional life. For BIPOC and first gen creatives and professionals, confidence building is about having the space to name the ways we know we have earned trust in ourselves through our practice and experiences. Yvette Martínez-Vu, Ph.D. & I are co-hosting a hands-on workshop on Tuesday, August 20- YOUR CONFIDENCE IS INEVITABLE, and your are so invited! Come and gain clarity about your story & personal work systems so that you can practice embodying your inherent confidence in your life and endeavors. 🗓️Join us here: https://lnkd.in/gxUUGPKr PS: Being a massive fan of the WNBA is an honor 💛💜🏀 If you haven’t been to a game, you are missing out! Go Sparks! #confidence #community #basketball #coaching #firstgen

🏀 Calling all young ballers and future basketball stars. As you step onto the court for the first time, remember it's all about fun and exploration – dribbling through cones, landing those delightful shots, and passing like a pro. At ages 5-10, the game should ignite your passion and spark the spirit of teamwork. Embrace the joy of learning and cheer each other on. Use laughter as your guide and celebrate every little victory on and off the court. The bonds you'll make with friends and teammates will last a lifetime. So, let's get dribbling and shooting. 😊 #BasketballFun #Teamwork Imagine feeling that sweet rhythm, the ball bouncing in sync with your heartbeat, surrounded by your peers who are just as energized and eager. As you grow, the basics will become second nature, setting the foundation for a love of basketball. Help us share your first basketball experiences, favorite moments, and what aspect of the sport excites you the most. How have you incorporated teamwork into your playtime or classes. Let us know in the comments below. 🤗 #PassTheBall #FutureAllStars.

🌟 Coaching our 6U softball has been an incredibly rewarding journey. Watching these young athletes grow, learn, and develop a love for the game is truly inspiring. As their coach, my biggest focus is on teaching them beyond the game and the importance of giving their best effort, both on and off the field. 🌟 Here are my rules 1️⃣ **Don't Play in the Sand**: Staying focused and present is vital. It's easy to get distracted, but being attentive helps us all improve and enjoy the game more. 2️⃣ **Hustle**: Whether it's running to first base or getting into position, giving your all in every movement shows dedication and builds a strong work ethic. 3️⃣ **Give Your Best Effort**: This is the cornerstone of everything we do. Putting in your best effort, no matter the outcome, teaches resilience, builds confidence, and fosters a sense of accomplishment. It’s not jabout winning games; it’s about instilling values that will benefit these girls throughout their lives. 💪🥎 #SoftballCoach #YouthSports #EffortMatters #Teamwork #PassionForTheGame #buildingleaders #community #linkedin #friday

I recently wrapped up coaching my boys varsity middle school basketball team at Scottsdale Christian Academy. I love that I have the opportunity to coach as it supports our school, allows me to develop stronger relationships with the boys on the team, and teach some valuable lessons… all while forcing me to be more intentional about my schedule! Here are a few things our team learned this season: *Be a good teammate; everyone makes mistakes, so lift up others on and off the court. *Be resilient; when you make a bad play on offense, turn around and get back to triple down on defense…the team got used to me yelling “get it back on defense”. *Teamwork; it takes all 5 players doing their job to the best of their ability, one weak link creates opportunities for the other team. *Get shots up; you can’t score if you never take shots…our goal was 50+ shots a game. If you coach youth sports, add your lessons learned! Thanks Cameron Warren for all the help. #jllcapitalmarkets #teamwork #motivation #personaldevelopment #basketball