Zhang proves that basketball can boost school marks
By Liu Jingxian and Xu Wei |
July 30, 2012, Monday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
"HURRY up, don't let the ball roll off your fingertips, pass the ball to your team member!"
During the summer vacation, the Anting Primary School is almost empty except for the indoor basketball stadium, where the school's female basketball team has training sessions four times a week.
Zhang Zhuping, who has more than 30 years' coaching experience, is the founder of the team. Clad in sportswear and exercising with a dozen of young girls, Zhang looks just as youthful and energetic as her students.
It's hard to believe that she has been retired for several years already.
"Spending time with young people makes me feel young," Zhang says with a grin.
Ever since Zhang became a professional basketball team coach in Jiangxi Province, she has cultivated more than 30 talented players for city-level teams. Her teams have won third place at the World Youth Basketball Tournament and first place at the National Junior Basketball Competition.
Wang Jue and Ma Yaojie, who are currently members of the Shanghai Women Basketball Team, were both Zhang's students.
"At present I am focusing my attention on primary school girls," Zhang says. "I hope one day they will totally fall in love with basketball."
Zhang founded the school girl team last October.
At first more than 30 children applied for the team as their parents considered it to be an interesting hobby. But after just one week, many of them quit due to the tough exercises.
To persuade the children to stay on, Zhang spent a lot of time talking with them and their parents.
Dai Yifei, who was among those who had quit, said that Zhang didn't want to give up on her. Zhang took Dai to watch her friends playing basketball and told her "no pain, no gain." When Dai returned to the basketball team, she became more hard-working and physically healthy. Her studies have also improved a lot.
Many people believe that playing basketball may distract students from their studies. But Zhang has worked out a special training theory which also improves a student's academics while attending sports practice.
"A lot of sports programs are believed to give people strong bodies but simple brains," she adds. "But I do not only teach them basketball skills, but also point out their weaknesses in their personality and help them to develop good habits in studies as well."
Wang Yuxi, a member of the team used to finish her homework very late at night, but now she completes her homework quickly and has gradually formed her ability of self-studying and preparing for lessons before class.
During the training, the team members have also developed a good habit of practicing consciously, no matter whether Zhang is present or not. They would put their schoolbags in a line and say hello to each other. Then they concentrate on practicing shooting. Zhang is proud of her students who seldom ask for leave no matter if it is chilly winter or scorching summer.
Many parents are grateful for Zhang's efforts as their children have become more independent, strong-willed and considerate.
During the summer vacation, the Anting Primary School is almost empty except for the indoor basketball stadium, where the school's female basketball team has training sessions four times a week.
Zhang Zhuping, who has more than 30 years' coaching experience, is the founder of the team. Clad in sportswear and exercising with a dozen of young girls, Zhang looks just as youthful and energetic as her students.
It's hard to believe that she has been retired for several years already.
"Spending time with young people makes me feel young," Zhang says with a grin.
Ever since Zhang became a professional basketball team coach in Jiangxi Province, she has cultivated more than 30 talented players for city-level teams. Her teams have won third place at the World Youth Basketball Tournament and first place at the National Junior Basketball Competition.
Wang Jue and Ma Yaojie, who are currently members of the Shanghai Women Basketball Team, were both Zhang's students.
"At present I am focusing my attention on primary school girls," Zhang says. "I hope one day they will totally fall in love with basketball."
Zhang founded the school girl team last October.
At first more than 30 children applied for the team as their parents considered it to be an interesting hobby. But after just one week, many of them quit due to the tough exercises.
To persuade the children to stay on, Zhang spent a lot of time talking with them and their parents.
Dai Yifei, who was among those who had quit, said that Zhang didn't want to give up on her. Zhang took Dai to watch her friends playing basketball and told her "no pain, no gain." When Dai returned to the basketball team, she became more hard-working and physically healthy. Her studies have also improved a lot.
Many people believe that playing basketball may distract students from their studies. But Zhang has worked out a special training theory which also improves a student's academics while attending sports practice.
"A lot of sports programs are believed to give people strong bodies but simple brains," she adds. "But I do not only teach them basketball skills, but also point out their weaknesses in their personality and help them to develop good habits in studies as well."
Wang Yuxi, a member of the team used to finish her homework very late at night, but now she completes her homework quickly and has gradually formed her ability of self-studying and preparing for lessons before class.
During the training, the team members have also developed a good habit of practicing consciously, no matter whether Zhang is present or not. They would put their schoolbags in a line and say hello to each other. Then they concentrate on practicing shooting. Zhang is proud of her students who seldom ask for leave no matter if it is chilly winter or scorching summer.
Many parents are grateful for Zhang's efforts as their children have become more independent, strong-willed and considerate.
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