I had the opportunity to attend a Jr. Knicks clinic at the Ridgewood YMCA on April 28, 2016. At this clinic, boys and girls ages 5-9 participated in exercise drills in order to stay fit, healthy, and in the process, learn the fundamentals of basketball.
One thing that differentiates YMCA clinics from the rest is that it gives young boys and girls a chance to get outside of their home and introduce them to physical activity. The Ridgewood YMCA clinic hosted 30 children in an effort to stress how important it is to stay physically active and do good in school in order to grow up and fulfill their dreams. The pictures below illustrate a story for each kid, which will be remembered for a lifetime.
Before participating in the Ridgewood clinic, children gather together as they take a picture with NBA alumni Larry Johnson.
Coach Young holds the ball as the children line up for a cross court jogging drill.
Kids are split up based on size and line up as they get ready to do loose up with jumping jacks.
Coach Bowers travels the room in order to help kids with their form and also offer support.
Coach Speedy tries to intimidate Shay to no success. Shay keeps up with speedy and does not back down. She was the star of the clinic and made an impression on all the coaches.
Coach Bowers and Speedy, along with NBA alumni Larry Johnson get in a huddle with the children after a successful shootout drill.
“Anything is possible” is what Troy Bowers told the group of children as they huddle for the clinic conclusion.