Thursday, November 18, 2010
Friday, October 1, 2010
Monday, July 26, 2010
We can coach the team now!
I am not sure what you can say about coaching a team of 1.5billion or even the estimated 4 million that play basketball in India. . . but never the less, “We can coach the team now” – was the sentiment (and face book status update of Divya Singh) of the Indian coaches as they completed our recent State Department program at George Mason University.
Our objective for the 12 Indian coaches was for them to come for training and bring the new expertise back to India for the next generation of Indian players and coaches.
It seems like yesterday, (Although it was almost two years ago ) when we first discussed applying for the US Department of State Sports Initiative Grant at Friend of a Farmer restaurant in Washington, DC.
Since that time, Craig, Bob and I have embarked on two exciting and successful missions throughout India to share our basketball knowledge with four separate local Indian communities. We have stories and photos to match the litany and cast of characters and sport stakeholders we met along the way. After my own Incredible India experience over the past three and a half years, I have come to know once you become part of India, India becomes part of you.
I felt like a little kid and was all too excited to complete part three of the program and host IN AMERICA! 12 coaches from India.
The coaches were chosen by our in-country partner, The Basketball Federation of India and many of our new friends were visiting the US for the first time. The program itinerary was crafted by Dr. Baker and Coach Esherick to touch on every aspect of sport training and marketing with a main emphasis on basketball training. Program participants were also taken for on- site seeing tours and shopping in our nations capital. In addition the coaches took classes and exams to earn coaching certifications by passing the NAASM exam.
I was uncertain what to expect until a bleary eyed Shiba Maggon was ready to hit the library to find some basketball books – 5 mins after arriving on campus (after about 48 hours of flying as she was coming from Thailand girls championships). This type of enthousiasm and thirst of learning the game was very inspiring and shows good potential for India basketball! We expect the coaches will integrate some of the learned methods into their local teams (I.e. Shiba, India Womens’ Jr. Team); we are hoping the real benefactors will be the masses they interact with, that they return to India.
Each day the coaches had two or three separate sessions either on the basketball court or in the classroom. Classes were on training techniqes, nutrititions, sports psychology, game marketing, basketball strategy and more. In the evenings we had dinner and their favorite past time – shopping.
I didn’t take a team wide poll – but it seems Best Buy was the biggest winner on this trip! Many of the coaches purchased laptops and electronics as it is much cheaper here. Special meals were also arranged for them at Brion’s café- a GMU hotspot.
The coaches arrived every day excited to learn, often times asking extra questions extending the sessions. It was touching to hear Ram Kapur ( We were told he is the best shooter ever out of India? Someone needs to write back and please confirm) and the rest talk about their dream of raising the level of play of game in India.
The Indian coaches were very genuine and post program, I am happy to call them all friends.
One of the greatest memories for me was to take the guys on the DC metro on July 4th down to the Iwo Jima Memorial for the fireworks. We laughed as the subway was super packed, reminding us of the train from Dardar to VT!
All the American coaches were touched when the Indian coaches, led by Yuvika, arranged an Indian dinner at Bombay Café a local place in Fairfax. It was here we were presented with Common Wealth Game polos and baseball caps – - I was so excited to receive the same as Ram Kumar and Mr. Singh – a Chelsea FootBall Club Carolina blue topper that I’m wearing as I write this blog! And, as Babu promised, the food was authentic and amazing!
Clearly these talented individuals could coach the team before, but I think now maybe, just maybe, now they can coach it a little bit better. Stay tuned, I will be announcing my next India trip shortly!
A special thank you to all our guest speakers:
Joseph Tuomo – (Former Georgetown Player) Individual workout
Jatin Ambegaonkar – GMU sports nutrition and injury prevention
Jason Winchestor – GMU Conditioning, Exercise Science and Weightlifting
Chris Caputo – GMU Basketball – Offensive screening
Jodi Lavin – Flint Hill H.S. (VA)
Charley Casserly – GMU / Former Washington Redskins GM
Prof Waddel – GMU Sports Psychology
Karrington Symonds — Hoop Magic discussion of basketball business
Eric Legg/Liz Reed — Arlington Parks Department The Administration and Coaching of Youth Basketball
Potomac Falls HS coaches — Special situations, high school basketball coaching in Virginia and Maryland, how to pick a team, issues with parents
And of course a special thank you to GMU and to Craig and Bob (and his wife Pam!) for another amazing India adventure!
To see more photos of the program, please visit us on Facebook:
Friday, July 16, 2010
@BFIbasketball  Indian coaches at George Mason university - interview with @jdbasketball http://tinyurl.com/372qtwv
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Saturday, May 1, 2010
india nation anthem - beautiful jdBASKETBALL INDIA VIDEO: india basketball jdbasketball http://ping.fm/PoyS8
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
US Consulate South India PRESS INVITE
PRESS INVITE
U.S. Consulate General
Public Affairs Section
220, Mount Road, Gemini Circle, Chennai 600 006
Telephone: 044-2857 4000 Fax: 2811 2055
http://chennai.usconsulate.gov
April 06, 2010
CHENNAI: U.S. Basketball Coaches JD Walsh, Craig Esherick and Dr. Bob Baker will conduct Basketball Clinics in Chennai and Bangalore from April 7-15, 2010. In September 2009, JD Walsh, co-partner George Mason University and former Georgetown Head coach, Craig Esherick (assistant coach for the 1988 US Men's Olympic basketball team) were awarded a US Department of State Sports Initiative grant that allows for two years of major coaches training and cultural exchange in India www.jdbasketball.com and www.GMU.edu. The team conducts these clinics in partnership with the Basketball Federation of India www.indiabasketball.org
CHENNAI, APRIL 7-10, 2010: In Chennai, the team conducts clinics in partnership with the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT) from April 7-10, 2010. About 50 players from different sport schools and colleges in Tamil Nadu, 20 coaches under the control of SDAT, and about 10 physical educators will attend the clinics.
The schedule is:
April 7-9, 2010
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. & 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
April 10, 2010
8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., followed by certificate awarding ceremony
Venue: SDAT Indoor Stadium (behind Rippon Building), Sydnhams Road,
Periamedu, Chennai 600003
The media is invited for the press conference on April 7, 2010 at 5:00 p.m. and on April 10, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. to cover the certificate award ceremony. For additional information about the clinics, you may contact Mr. R. Stephen David, Senior Manager, SDAT (9940341449; Email: stesdat@yahoo.co.in.)
BANGALORE, April 10-15, 2010: In partnership with the Basketball Federation of India (BFI), the team conducts practice and training sessions for the probables of the Indian Men Basketball Team preparing for qualifying round of the FIBA Aia Middle Asia Zone for the 20th Champions Club to be held at Bangalore from April 16-18, 2010. Mr. Harish Sharma, Secretary General, BFI may be contacted for the schedule, venue and other details of the clinics.
***
PAS: 04/06/10
Monday, April 5, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
india pune 2007 Blast form past jdBASKETBALL india basksetball training press conference : http://ping.fm/7vh53
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
india basketball training by jd walsh www.jdbasketball.com "attack, turn, spin move" http://ping.fm/paULa
Monday, February 22, 2010
basketball india traingin session jdbasketball training session india ball over head drill for team agility http://ping.fm/TPJlb
basketball india training 'team cross-over lay-up' jdBASKETBALL training session indiahttp://ping.fm/5LhJu
Sunday, February 21, 2010
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