Ways that good old Dad helped build me into a better athlete as a child

The following is a list of some of my fondest memories growing up as a little athlete.

Goal – Not being afraid of the ball when in the batters box in Little League
Action – He put me up against the back of the house and pitched to me… throwing 1 out of every 3 at me, so I’d learn to get out of the way and show me that it doesn’t hurt that bad to get hit! I was literally a human dart board, but instead of darts there were baseballs being thrown at me from close range!

Goal – To make me not afraid of physical confrontations
Action – He decided to play fight with me at my aunt’s house throwing a series of fake punches and kicks at close range… until one knee got through, hit me in the junk and dropped me like a sack of bricks. Apparently he was ahead of his time. Ultimate fighting didn't become popular for another 10-15 years. Although, even in the UFC groin strikes are illegal!

Goal – To make me a better shooter in basketball
Action – He put me in the driveway in 100+ degree heat until I could make 20 consecutive free throws. At one point it even got to the point that once I could do that easily, him and his buddy Chuckie would taunt and yell things at me as I shot the ball! And we wonder why I graduated from high school and weighed all of 120lbs!

Goal – To make me better at dribbling with my left hand
Action – In a game in the driveway he undercut my legs as I went up for a rebound, so I came down sideways and broke my right elbow on the asphalt. I had to do everything, including wiping my ass, with my left hand for 6 weeks. Ok, maybe my dad didn’t do that… it may have been some jerk in Linwood. I do think my dad was a little upset he didn't think of that first : )

And my little sister thought she had it tough growing up in my parent's house... LOL

In all seriousness, my dad is a really nice guy and has been very helpful to me growing up in this crazy world we live in... although his tactics are sometimes a little outside the box!