Hockey began as a simple ball and stick game, the modern form closest to the original is what we call field hockey. All variations come from this sport. All are amazingly familiar once you grab a stick and begin to play.
Thursday, March 14, 2013
What If You Found a Sport That Made
You Smile All Your Life?
What is the point in playing a sport? Will it make you rich?
Does it guarantee a free college education? People talk about a tangible reason to participate in a sport as an end game.
The real end game may sound silly to you and to some parents, and certainly to that lacrosse coach, who brags that boys love lacrosse because they can get college scholarships and after graduation play professionally,
but there is only one real end game.
It is the same end game we all have, the one that makes life worthwhile:
The endgame is making ourselves healthy, happy people.
That is the endgame that comes with life.
I hate to sound like I'm preaching, but the yoga people have loads of men and women looking for a way to give meaning to themselves and structure and mindful,
dare I say, happiness....and health.
I believe there is a more proper end game. Perhaps some fool themselves into believing college is an end game.
College is barely 1/4 of the way on this path. If that is the endgame, and it foolishly seems to be, then they spend the other 3/4 of their lives finding a new end game. Don't get me wrong about college. I highly value a broad liberal arts education. It helps your mind prepare for where the road leads you. It does not prepare your body.
I believe that hockey, in each of its varied forms, can be an activity that can provide life long health and well being. It is of more value as a social community, and place where we can join the better part of the world.
I have told those boys who could possibly play field hockey internationally that few other sports send national teams all over the globe. That lacrosse coach probably doesn't care that lacrosse players might visit Canada, at best. While my friends who play ice hockey, have played in a few European countries.
My field hockey pals have traveled the globe, like rock stars, (yes, in some countries field hockey players are like rock stars): NZ, ZA, AUS, FR, IN, KOR, NL, DE, IRL, DK, IT, BRA, ARG, CHILE, and on and on, and Canada.
The lacrosse dudes pay to go those places, as tourists.
Travel does broaden you. It increases your brain power, fills you with new ideas and memories. Hitting a ball with a stick doesn't necessarily do much by itself. But if you hit that ball back and forth with other people, as you run down a field or court, when you stop and look up, you might just be amazed at how far you have come, how you are filled with well being, and maybe by the smile you still have on your face.
Indoor hockey can do this for boys.
Boys need to smile, too.
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Boys Play Indoor Hockey
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Who Told You You Could Play Field Hockey?
Question:
Who told you you could play field hockey?
Did your mother tell you that she grew up playing field hockey, so you followed in her footsteps? Did you go watch her play and were inspired to see her so engaged by her passion for the sport?
Who influenced your decision to play? Was it your mother? Sometimes fathers encourage their children by playing with them.
All things being equal, which sport is a father who has played baseball,
football, ice hockey, soccer, basketball, and tennis most likely to pass on to his son or daughter?
Note that field hockey is not on that list. He wasn't allowed to play field hockey.
Now, ask a father who did play field hockey which sport he is likely to pass on to his daughter (or son).
Ask Manzar Iqbal or Peter Jones. I am sure there is a much, much longer list.
Who told you you could play field hockey?
Did your mother tell you that she grew up playing field hockey, so you followed in her footsteps? Did you go watch her play and were inspired to see her so engaged by her passion for the sport?
Who influenced your decision to play? Was it your mother? Sometimes fathers encourage their children by playing with them.
All things being equal, which sport is a father who has played baseball,
football, ice hockey, soccer, basketball, and tennis most likely to pass on to his son or daughter?
Note that field hockey is not on that list. He wasn't allowed to play field hockey.
Now, ask a father who did play field hockey which sport he is likely to pass on to his daughter (or son).
Ask Manzar Iqbal or Peter Jones. I am sure there is a much, much longer list.
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