Post from October 21
Dongda holds an annual basketball tournament in the Fall for the faculty and staff. Being staff and tall, it is assumed that we participate. There was an impressive amount of hype about this tournament, enough to intimidate me, and make me worry about letting the entire department down. ...bagh...
The teams are first divided by departments and then by gender. The tournament spans 3-4 weeks, depending on how well we do. No pressure, but the English department had a nine year winning streak that was broken last year. They don't want to win that badly.
We have a coach. Kind of. Heidi understands about 20 percent of what he says, and I understand almost nothing. When verbal language ends, body language begins. With violent hand motions, trial and error, and help from the Chinese English teachers, we deduced that we are to stand under the basket, wait for the ball, and just shoot, per our coach's instructions. Flattering, since my entire life I have been a point guard, if that. Coming from Dutch, tall West Michigan, my peers were always the desired posts while I waited for a chance to pass the ball to them. (oh please pick me!!)
I am also the one picked for the jump ball. As it ensues, I jump much higher than my 'almost as tall as me' counter part as I tip the ball towards our basket. I am not tooting my own horn, here. It is a simple fact that sports and athletics exist almost 100% more in the U.S. educational system than in China's. That makes me a basketball expert. And also, due to the fact that I run regularly and my hips come up to most of the other women's rib cages, I am one of the fastest ones on the court as well. These are sociologically and physiologically sound, as well as a depressing contrast when I know my basketball ability compared to some of my friends' basketball abilities back home. oiy.
These games have GOT to get on tape. It's amazing.
Passes are chucked backwards over one's head, towards one's basket, without any regard to an open team mate. Dribbling is up by the chin, or too low so that the one in possession has to chase after it. Guarding could be retitled as 'mauling,' and shooting... well... IF it happens, it might hit the rim.
I HAD SO MUCH FUN.
But I do have a few suggestions to those who manage and determine what motions the referees use to signal a violation in basketball.
Number 1. No scratching. This is proven by the red lines on the neck or arm. Referee makes a motion like a cat snarl or a swipe like Wolverine, and gives the ball to the victim's team.
Number 2. Four eyes down. This call is made when someone's glasses get hit off of their head. I caught pairs of glasses three time in the first game. I guess securing one's means to a visually fulfilling life is not emphasized unless one plays more than once a year. Maybe. Referee extends hands and closes eyes, with a lost and confused expression on his/her face, as if he/she were blind. The ball is given to the other team.
Number 3. No climbing. This offense merits vigilance on the referee's part, especially when taller, sturdier foreigners are given the ball. I am not a tree. I am not a tree house. My calves are not footholds, and you may not swing on my neck. Referee raises his/her arms in the air resembling a tree blowing in the wind. The climbee is granted a free throw.
We are in the midst of the tournament. Our first game was 10-4, us, and our second game was (get this) 6-2, us. (AWWWWW YEAH.)
It's so fun. I can't wait for the next game this Saturday, and I'll keep the blog posted on the results and antics of the Dongda, Female, English Department Basketball Team. (DFEDBBT)
No comments:
Post a Comment