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Youth

9/22/2014

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EXPECTATIONS & DREAMS 2

As soon as a child functions on it’s own, away from the comfort of the mother’s womb, it becomes aware of it’s surroundings, Some quicker, some slower. All require motivation at a variety of times. Spontaneous or not, it commences to develop into an independent human being. In the outside world a new and exciting direction is initiated to take it to the next level of development. Activities & skills are learned. Some purely for joy. Many will lead to function independently as a unique human being.

The following basics, in my opinion, become evident: 1. Character: the mental finger print that shows that every person is an unique individual. 2. Personality: a function that can be molded and altered over time resulting in changes, depending on environment, traditions, customs and offered opportunities. 3. Equipment: physical & mental abilities, talents, long arms, short legs, broad shoulders, strong minded, shy, enthusiastic, spontaneous, red hair, freckles and so forth. Obvious in my experience is that every child wants to eagerly learn things that catches it’s attention & interest. It learns that life will be about Choices and subsequently being Accountable for those choices.

With the above traits, it listens, observes, reacts and responds to impulses, Recognizing familiar faces, being comfortable here & uncomfortable there. One of the major developments is, in my experience, the curiosity & desire to investigate new “horizons”, expanding it’s world by learning to move about & around when not resting, sleeping or taking a “nap“.

Since verbal conversations are limited to sounds & signals for some time, there is no doubt the child wants to satisfy the term “Exploration“. Instant excitement for all involved enters the “arena”. Time is on the parent’s side. The parent (s) becomes part of the adventure to raise a child. Ready and prepared or not.

The above are fascinating facts to one who’s been professionally involved in Mobility, Athletics & Fitness Training The body & mind starts to become a team of sorts. Synchronized moving arms, legs & body begin their journey of improving the skills as available tools to function in society. Observing a child try, fail, succeed and perform shakes up assumptions about a lot of things that are part of parenting.

Moving from one point to another becomes, in my opinion, the basis of Athletics. Persistence after trying, failing, succeeding are a “Keystone” of holding it’s own among peers. It’s like showing the world improvement after multiple attempts of trying and not “blowing off” future attempts. Nothing seems to stand in the way of conquering obstacles and achieving success. The “Cornerstone” will be the unconditional trust in parents, teachers, leaders and alike. The opportunity to get involved has arrived. .Since a child appears eager, willing and able to learn many important things and “stuff” in the early years of it’s life, there is no time to waste. In my experience and opinion there are 3 basic tools for the Parents, teachers, coaches and leaders: 1. Teach me what I need to know and accomplish. 2. Guide me by example. Act as a role model. 3. Show me things, places & “stuff” to conquer. Thus doing things together on a Y&M, you and me format promises best results.

A strong, life long lasting bond between both will become a potential outcome. Success will gravitate both to multiple participant activities and group activities as well. Developing a sense of belonging to a “Team” can be a most desirable outcome for all involved.

I have experienced the following “stages” when working with my own children and professionally in Tennis, Athletics & Youth Fitness:

1. I don’t know what & how to do it. 2. I know I can do it. 3. I am curious to find out what & where my limitations are.

Personally, I know from experience that introducing Athletics on solid, simple basics, will over time show positive results. For one, the child will learn and subsequently become eager to take over & initiate the necessary work ethics to arrive at the “next level” & beyond.

The 3Skatter Format of simple basic, easy to do exercises has been the result of many years of observing, learning from and working with young people at a variety of locations around the globe. Visit us at www.3skatter-pe.com.

I welcome your replies, suggestions and comments very much.

You can also email me at: 3skatter.pe@gmail.com

Hans Schmid

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Back of the Pack

9/15/2014

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BACK OF THE PACK

In a small village a few miles away from a big city in Europe, one of the most popular pastimes was to raise pigeons. Keeping postal pigeons was a very popular pass time. The local pigeon club meetings were well attended and a main source of information & apart from pigeons, a variety of other topics. Discussions and decisions about club events were an integrate part of the club meetings. One of those was to collect pigeons from members, cage them and ship them to a far away location. Then they were released and started the 2 or 3 day flight back home. Upon safe arrival of a returned pigeon, the owner quickly made the trek to the club house & had the bird officially clocked in. The ID number on small ring on one of the bird’s legs was verified and entered and after all the pigeons had returned, the arrival times were tabulated, a winner was determined.

Youth of that small town joined in the fun as junior members. Sjefke loved pigeons and wanted badly to become one of the youngest members of the pigeon club. It was known in town that Sjefke was a member of one of the poorest families in town. It did not stop Sjefke's righteous desire to be part of the pigeon fun. Determined to pull all the plugs to join the pigeon club, he accomplished all the necessary preparations. He also needed to be very creative since money was scarce. Sjefke acquired a couple of fruit crates from the local grocer. Joined them together and covered the front with some chicken wire donated by a friend’s father, who helped him build his pigeon sanctuary. Friends helped him paint the inside with a special white paint that not only coated the cage, but killing bugs and other pests upon contact. A special entrance was added so pigeons could only get in and not leave without the owner opening up that flap to a small platform. The creation was attached to an outside brick wall of the house, facing the back yard. Now the only thing left was acquiring one or two pigeons. One of the best known & respected members, Toon, offered Sjefke one of his female pigeons that showed no promise at all to become a champion flyer. Sjefke was elated and very grateful for Toon’s generous gesture. Sjefke named his prized possession Victoria. She proofed indeed not to be the most active bird in town on the daily fly outs, but that did not discourage Sjefke at all. While aloft on the twice daily exercise flights with the pigeons from other pigeon keepers in the neighborhood, Victoria just watched the others in awe from the roof top above Sjefke‘s house, while all the others birds moved up & down high in the sky, banking left & right in a harmonious, coordinated way. Victoria neither ventured too far away from home either. Appeared to be quickly tired. Always being in the back of the pack & at times she attempted to join the crowd, flying by herself most of the time became a daily routine. Sjefke could care less. To him Victoria was the best bird of them all. Then one day Victoria stayed home and did not want to fly at all. She appeared more tired than ever. Sjefke gave her much extra TLC and did not force her to get out and fly. One morning Sjefke noticed that Victoria had laid an egg. She immediately & carefully attended to the egg. Both Sjefke & Victoria hoped that the egg would hatch. Not long after, Victoria must have made a clumsy move and had somehow touched the egg carelessly. Her unfortunate act left a small part of the egg bruised. She left the egg unattended. Sjefke noticed the bruised part. He picked up some cotton balls, spread them out and placed the egg on the soft cotton bed with the bruised part down. Instantly Victoria continued to care for the egg again & covered it carefully with her warm body. A few weeks later the egg hatched and a young pigeon arrived. Victoria proudly showed off her new born. Immediately Sjefke registered the bird with the club and Toon supplied him with a small & numbered ring as part of the official registration. The newborn was now officially recognized and added to all the club‘s registered birds. Both Victoria & Sjefke hoped for the best. Sjefke, not knowing on which paw to fit the ring, picked the one on the right. Since the bird was only a few days old he could still easily fit it. After some weeks of growing rapidly, the bird showed a checkered brown and white feather coat. Toon checked on the progress of the newborn frequently. He determined it was a male pigeon that, in his opinion, showed great promise. Sjefke decided to call it Freckles. Not long after Freckles won the club’s prestigious young bird rookie award. When Sjefke was offered the choice between a small shiny trophy or a big bag of pigeon feed, Sjefke decided on the latter.

A year later Freckles had grown to be the biggest and fastest pigeon in the neighborhood. One day Sjefke decided to add him to all the other birds to be caged and transported to a town far away in the neighboring country. Needles to say that Freckles won his next trophy of fastest returned club pigeon. When Freckles went on tour, mom Victoria anxiously waited his return. Every time Freckles returned he acknowledged mom Victoria and shared his victories with her showing love & thanks to her for her tireless efforts raising him. Freckles became an instant hero and talk of the town. Freckles in the process also promoted Sjefke to one of the most successful pigeon keepers around.

Victoria had given her all and moved from the back of the pack of pigeon moms to be the mother of a champion.  Freckles had inherited her champion blood lines nobody else recognized in her. It took a toll on her and one day Sjefke noticed a lifeless Victoria. He buried her behind a red rose bush in the back yard. On many occasions Freckles and other pigeons visited the spot behind the red rose. That way they paid tribute to a pigeon who was considered not to amount to anything good but through trial, error and determination became a champion, as well as successful pigeon mother.

The moral of the story:

You do not have to listen to negative opinions and perceptions that are aimed at you, that includes listening to those who bully you. 

Opinions and perceptions, that’s what they are. Reality is that you are capable of doing many things you have set your heart on. Start with recognizing yourself in a positive way, Your specific talents, Your attributes. Your circumstances. Your options. Take notes. Compile them. On that basis, make a plan. Discuss them with someone you can trust and get off the couch & drawing board. Give it an honest attempt. Do not give up when challenges appear to be insurmountable. Succeed, fail & persist. Try to be the best you can. All champions have failed at one time, got up and tried again many times before they succeeded. Remember, not every body will represent a country at the Olympics. Even fewer  will become professionals in athletics. All can become the best they can be. The mark of a champion is one who failed ,  got up and tried one more time. The 3Skatter basic exercises will supply all able youth a platform or basis to work from and form a solid encouragement to move ahead with a set plan. Does this sound like a plan? Check it out on my website; www.3skatter-pe.com

Henri Charles (Hans) Schmid

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