The MGC New Life (MGCNL) basketball varsity gets back in the game after two years of being stuck at home because of the lockdown.
The team's U14 captain, Jacoby Tan, high school (HS) captain Enzo Chua, HS co-captains Maddox Lim and Karl Yue, and varsity player Trey Chua of the MGCNL basketball varsity team shared their thoughts on the resumption of their in-person training.
How do you feel about going back to face-to-face (F2F) training?
Jacoby: “I feel really happy that we are back to face to face practice since we have been practicing online for 2 years.”
Maddox: “Of course I feel overjoyed that I can finally go back to training F2F, after a long period of time. I can finally see my teammates and coaches F2F.”
Enzo: “It obviously feels great seeing the boys, coaches, and teammates together in person. It just feels so nostalgic and it’s honestly a breath of fresh air… It does feel a bit scary though since COVID-19 is still around, but we make sure to follow proper safety protocols and only remove masks when playing.”
Karl: “I feel happy that we are back to F2F training because now we can actually play basketball with each other. It is also way more enjoyable to learn and improve during F2F training.”
Trey: “I am really happy that I can finally train F2F again because it is much more fun and enjoyable to play on a basketball court rather than training in your house.”
The players are evidently happy and grateful to be going back to F2F training. However, HS Captain Enzo did note that players will still be following protocol despite COVID-19 restrictions loosening up.
What are the advantages of training online?
Jacoby: “Some advantages of online is that there is less time to prepare. For face to face you need to prepare a lot of things, but for online practice you just need to put on shoes and prepare your camara [sic].”
Maddox: “It allowed us to stay fit and have a smoother transition back to F2F training.”
Enzo: “Travel time is now negligible since all you need is your laptop and some open space… Our times are flexible and you can do things at your own pace.”
Karl: “The only advantage I could think of is that you don’t have to go to school to practice, you can just practice at home.”
Trey: “Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, online training helped keep the players safe. It drastically reduced the chances of us getting infected in comparison to training in person.”
The players were grateful that online training provided them with a means to train with their teammates and stay safe while doing so. It was more convenient for players since they didn’t have to worry about travel time anymore.
Is it easier to train face-to-face?
Jacoby: “Face to face is so much easier and so much better. It's easier because the coach can keep a better eye on you, catch your mistakes, and correct them quickly. It’s also better because you can practice your shooting.”
Maddox: “In terms of intensity, online is easier but less effective. F2F is more fun and effective in my opinion.”
Enzo: “Going back to face-to-face training makes learning so much easier… We can run our transition offense and plays, review defenses, lift weights, and play scrimmages against each other. All of these are truly needed if we want our team to succeed and improve… It is easier to get feedback from coaches and teammates right away. Transitioning back to face-to-face training also allowed the coaches to teach and communicate our plans and goals more effectively.”
Karl: “Yes, F2F training is much smoother than online training since we don't have to worry about lag or disconnections. It’s also a lot easier to understand the coaches [sic] instructions on a F2F platform."
Trey: “It’s easier to train F2F because you’re limited to physical conditioning because not everyone has a court or hoop at home. It’s also much easier to learn F2F because the coaches can instantly correct you when you make a mistake.”
Given that training has shifted back to face-to-face, it is evident that players will have an easier time improving their skills and, moreover, be able to enjoy their training whilst still maintaining safety protocols. The MGCNL basketball team persevered through the hardships of online training. Now that they’re back to face-to-face training, they’re ready to dribble past all uncertainties.
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