"Life lies in movement", according to the French ideologist Voltaire. The essence of this line, in my opinion, is that life is finite and we will get old with time. The significance of exercising lies in the fact that not only are we moving in place, but also in time. For me, sports are more important than anything else. So I asked myself what topic could I possibly choose for MYP Personal Project that not only aligns with the things that I consider as significant in my life but also benefit the community I live in? My answer is to form a basketball team.

"Firstly, if playing basketball is your daily hobby, it can make you feel happy by increasing your endorphin levels and improving your physical condition. In addition, my personal project can bring a change to students, allowing them to better shape their power and capacity to withstand pressure in the event of failure. What’s more, outstanding performance in high-level competitions can play a catalytic role for students who are applying for colleges, while also offering a good opportunity for the school to establish its brand and image for future students.

The reason why I chose this topic for my personal project is that basketball is my interest and the field that I'm deeply passionate about. I tried to form a basketball team and conduct regular training sessions for our community. While providing training services for the members of the basketball team, I was attempting to explore the ways to improve the individual quality of playing basketball and help the team to be more competitive in future games, as well as make videos for future tutorials. Before starting the training, I had set up my success criteria, which was to empower players of the TWIS basketball team to develop themselves in the various aspects.

My training plan was divided into six parts: defense, shooting, dribbling, passing, teamwork breakthrough, and finishing skills. Based on my intrinsic knowledge, I was trying to be a good thinker by applying everything I've learned to develop a new training plan tailored to my athletes. Training sessions were held every afternoon from Monday through Thursday, while the training content every Thursday was based on what players struggled with throughout the previous three days of training.

With his basketball teammates, Justin engaged in 

a basketball game with TWIS teachers.

法国思想家伏尔泰曾说道：“生命在于运动”。在我看来，这句话的本质是，人的生命是有限的，随着时间的推移，人类终究会到达垂暮之年。运动的意义在于，我们不仅在物理空间中移动，也在时间线上移动。于我而言，运动高于一切。那么，我可以在至关重要的个人设计项目中选择什么主题，让其与我所珍视的“运动”相契合，还对我所生活的社区带来意义？我的答案是，建立一支TWIS篮球队。

“第一，若打篮球是你的日常爱好，那它可以促进你的内啡肽分泌和改善身体状况，从而给你带来愉悦和快乐。第二，我的个人设计项目可以给学生带来改变，让他们学会从失败中汲取经验，从而更好地塑造自我、强化运动力量和增强抗压能力。更重要的是，在高阶运动比赛中的出色表现可以在申请大学阶段为学生赢得名校的青睐。再者，组建TWIS篮球队也给学校创造了良好的机会，为其树立良好的品牌和形象。”

篮球是我的兴趣所在，也是我所深深热爱的领域。因此，我尝试组建一支篮球队，并定期为篮球队员提供训练服务。在为篮球队成员提供培训服务的过程中，我希望去探索提高篮球队员打球技能的方式，帮助整支球队在未来的比赛中提高竞争力，同时制作教学视频，以备日后使用。在正式训练之前，我还制定了项目成功的评判标准，即让TWIS篮球队的队员们在以下几个方面得到提升。

我将篮球训练计划分为六大部分：防守、投篮、运球、传球、团队建设和完善技能。基于已有的知识，我尽可能地运用我所学到的一切来为篮球队员们量身定做一份全新的训练计划。团体的训练课程定于每周一至周四的下午进行，而每周四的训练内容则根据篮球队员在前三天的运动效果进行调整。

Justin与他的篮球队和TWIS教师团队
进行TWIS篮球学院赛

I started 'Basketball Training' as my personal project in November 2021, and it has lasted for 7 months. To proceed with the project, I made a detailed plan including conducting research, recruiting prospective basketball players, preparing materials, training, and writing the essay. By being more organized, I finished all the processes on time.

There are 10 players in my basketball team and the teammate recruitment process has been surprisingly smooth. I shared my basketball training program with the school community through a group email, and soon more than a dozen students contacted me and applied to join the team, which gave me a deep sense of the cohesiveness that sports can bring to us.  I am glad that I made the right decision in selecting the task for my personal project.

Justin with his basketball teammates.

As an IB student about to enter the DP programme, I have made it a habit to proactively and regularly seek advice from my supervisor, Mr. Jaime, at least twice a week. I have also created a process journal with detailed guidelines for the training program, which I often use to discuss with my supervisor. The journal also played a significant role in the implementation of my personal project.

在2021年11月，我就启动了“篮球训练”作为我的个人设计项目，到今天为止已经持续了7个多月了。为了确保个人设计项目的顺利进行，我对整个项目进行了详细的规划，从调查研究、招募球员、准备篮球物料、正式训练、反复总结到撰写论文，过程还算顺利，这得益于我的自我管理能力。

目前我的球队中有10名队员，整个招募过程是出乎意料的顺利。我通过邮件群发的方式，与学校社区分享我的篮球训练计划，很快，就有十余个学生在第一时间联系到我，并申请加入球队，这让我深刻地感受到体育所带给人们的凝聚力，我也很庆幸自己在项目选题上做出的正确决定。

Justin和篮球队队员

作为一名即将步入DP项目的IB学生，我已经养成了主动、定期向我的导师Mr. Jaime寻求帮助的习惯，至少每周两次。我还创建了一本项目日记，针对训练计划罗列出详细的准则，我常拿着这本项目日记与我的导师讨论，这本日记在项目实施过程中起到了非常重要的作用。

My personal project is not 'personal' - I was working with a group of basketball players where I was accompanied by my teammates. I learned from famous coaches like Steve Kerr and Jackson, and I understood that an excellent basketball coach and basketball player must possess the qualities of Sportsmanship (basic courtesy and good manners), Teamwork (a spirit of 'we over we', encouraging each other no matter in losing games or winning games), Positive Attitude (determination to overcome adversity), and Respect (respect each other).

The IB learner profile attributes and the ATL skills that I have developed provided a road for me to become a good 'outsider' - basketball coach and an 'insider' - basketball player. In my process journal, I have written down the ATL skills that I have applied and improved, including my communication skills, thinking skills, research skills, and self-management skills. However, I think the IB Learner Profile qualities together with the ATL skills helped me to effectively achieve my learning objectives. 

'KWHLAQ' & Research Skills

Before I started my training journal, I discussed my training plans with my supervisor, such as the schedule, training content, and the problems that I would encounter. I was taught the *K (what do I know), *W (what do I want to know), *H (How will I find out), *L (what have I learned), *A (what action will I take), *Q (questions I still have), which is a useful framework that helped me organize my thoughts.

Justin's Process Journal

In the early stages of my project, I was a good researcher by searching different kinds of training methods, following the KWHLAQ framework. While there were a variety of training methods on the internet, I had to choose the most appropriate method for my players' level and associated with my project’s success criteria. For example, fast-break training is a basic technique in the field of basketball. However, players who have no knowledge of the footsteps would not be able to score a lay-up. If players cannot even score with no one defending, then why was I giving them such advanced training?  So I decided that the training should concentrate on the basic and fundamental skills.

'Communicator' & Communication Skills

One of the most important aspects of being a good 'communicator' is to continuously ask questions. On the one hand, the oral communication skill was vital in assisting me in managing and getting to know my team, as well as encouraging my teammates. On the other hand, when we were doing the turn-back training, I found a number of problems: some players were traveling in their minds, and some players had no idea about how to do the correct movement. As a result, I applied body language to improve communication efficiency, which made the message to be understood more effectively.

Screenshot from Justin's Self-produced Video

I always strived to improve my ability to explain by organizing my thoughts in advance. When we practiced the spin move lay-up, I suggested they followed two rules: lower their gravity and slightly lean forward, and toes must be facing the basket after spinning. However, I found that they were unable to grasp the spinning movement. So, I came out with a solution right away - I tried to break them off on dribbling. At last,, the majority of the players understood the spinning movement and knew how to protect the ball.

'Thinker' & Thinking Skills

An excellent thinker should always be open-minded and reflective, as this will make them more distinctive from others. 

Based on my observation, I found that most of my players' left hands is weak. Using good thinking skills, I proposed to conduct basic lay-up training for them to build their strength. I showed them how to keep the ball high because I wanted them to develop a good habit that would allow them to effortlessly guard the ball and lay up. They would usually engage in a 1-1 fight within 5 seconds. Why is it 5 seconds? It is to improve their ability to respond quickly; they must understand that their players do not have a lot of time to think about what to do next in the real game. All the training sessions that I have done were for the purpose of playing in real competitions.

Basketball in-house Competition

实际上，我的个人设计项目不单是“个人”的——篮球团队竞赛追求的是团队的力量，我拥有了队员们的陪伴。从史蒂夫·科尔（Steve Kerr）和杰克逊（Jackson）等世界著名教练的经验中，我学习到一个优秀的篮球教练和篮球运动员必须具备体育精神（基本的礼貌和良好的举止）、团队精神（“凝聚高于个人力量的团队”的精神，无论在输球或赢球都要互相鼓励）、积极的态度（克服逆境的决心）和互相尊重的品质。

我从ATL学习方法技能和IB学习者属性的框架中学到的品质为我指明了一条道路，让我成为一名优秀的“局外人”——篮球教练，和“局内人”——篮球运动员。在我的项目日记中，我写下了所有我运用和提高的ATL技能，包括沟通能力、思考能力、研究能力和自我管理能力。然而，我发现，将IB学习者属性和ATL学习技能相结合，会更有效地实现我的学习目标。

“KWHLAQ”框架 & 研究能力

在开始撰写项目日记之前，我与我的导师讨论了篮球训练计划，包括训练时间与周期、训练内容和我所遇到的困境。TWIS的老师曾经把“KWHLAQ”的思维框架分享给我，“K”代表的是“我已知道什么”、“W”代表的是“我想知道什么”、“H”代表的是“我将如何发现”、“L”代表的是“我学到了什么”、“A”代表的是“我将采取什么行动”、“Q”代表的是“我还存在什么疑问”。这个有用的思维框架，帮助我有条理地思考。

Justin的项目日记

在项目的早期阶段，我按照“KWHLAQ”的逻辑框架来搜索和筛选不同种类的篮球训练方法。虽然互联网上充斥着五花八门的训练模式，但我必须根据球员的能力水平来挑选出最合适他们的方案，并与我在前期定下的项目评估标准相结合，在此，我的研究能力也发挥了用处。例如，即使快攻训练是篮球领域的一项基本技术，但没有任何步法知识的球员是无法运用此技术来投篮的，如果球员连在无人防守的情况下都不能得分，那么进阶的训练则很难产生意义。于是，我想出了一个办法，那就是将训练集中在基本功上。

"善于沟通的人" & 沟通能力

作为一名优秀的“善于沟通的人”（IB学习者属性之一），学会运用ATL技能中的“沟通能力”来提问是至关重要的。一方面，口语沟通表达能力帮助我更为了解我的篮球队，以及引导我去鼓励队友。另一方面，当我们进行转身训练时，我发现了一些诸如“球员走神”、“球员动作错误”等问题。因此，我亲身示范，运用肢体语言提高了沟通效率，让知识变得更易理解。

Justin的自制视频截图

另外，我也一直致力于提高诠释知识的能力，提前组织好自己的思路。此外，在练习绕身投篮时，我建议队员遵守两个规则：降低重心，身体略微前倾，旋转后脚尖必须面向篮筐。然而在过程中，我发现他们无法掌握旋转的动作。于是，我马上想出了一个解决办法。在他们运球时稍加不注意就把球拍下来。如此一来，大多数球员就理解了绕身投篮的意义，并知道如何护球。

"善于思考的人" & 思考能力

一个优秀的“思考者”（IB十大学习者属性之一）应该始终保有开放的心态和善于反思的能力，这一能力会让他们变得与众不同。

在日常训练观察中，我发现大多数球员的左手都不够力量。凭借我的思考能力，我提议给他们培训最基本的上篮训练，以提升力量基础。我告诉他们要把球放高，从而养成一个良好的习惯才能毫不费力地护球和上篮。另外，球员们通常会在5秒内进行“1比1”的对抗。为什么是5秒呢？因为这能提高他们快速反应能力。因为在真正的比赛中，他们的对手没有太多时间去思考下一步该怎么做。为了提升竞争力，我的篮球训练课程都是围绕着真正的比赛而展开的。

TWIS篮球队的校内比赛

This personal project has influenced me in several ways. First and foremost, in leadership. I had never imagined that one day I would be able to coach and train players. However, I realized that being a coach is not as simple as I had imagined, so I created a few solutions. For example, if a player arrived late, they must perform 20 push-ups, unless they asked for a leave in advance. For lay-up training or competition practicing, they must do 10 push-ups if they missed the ball. Ultimately, it worked, the tardiness issue was resolved, and the quality of training had also increased.

"I've learned how to deal with problems more calmly, convince with actions, stay focused on the details, and remain 'hungry' for new knowledge."

Leading by example, in my opinion, is the most effective way to demonstrate it. That is why I had always joined the training. Staying 'hungry' is a trait that allows me to try new things. I was eager to receive recommendations or suggestions from different directions which encouraged me to think. There were always more solutions than problems, and I am now one step closer to becoming a successful leader.

As the old saying goes “Teaching is learning”. I have strengthened my basketball skills while coaching the players in our school. Successful players, in my opinion, must be discoverers and modest learners just like Kobe Bryant. For me, Kobe Bryant is one of the greatest basketball players, whose ability is strongly linked to his determination.

"To be a good basketball player, one must have the ability to reflect. Mistakes are frequently a positive experience for players with reflective skills, as they can continue to improve and make progress."

As for me, I am improving my basketball skills by asking multiple questions, identifying, and filling the gaps. And I will keep training with players who really want to improve themselves. I hope that all players can have good basic skills and tactical awareness which can support to compete with other teams. It will be an honor to represent the school in competing with other schools.

个人设计项目赋予了我多层面的影响。首先是举足轻重的领导力，我从未想过有一天我会从事篮球教学和领导球员训练，仅这一点就在最初阶段激发了我浓厚的兴趣，让我兴奋不已。然而，我意识到，成为一名篮球教练并非如我所想般简单。为了解决这一系列问题，我想了一些解决办法。例如，如果一个队员迟到，除非他事前告知请假，否则他必须做20个俯卧撑。在进行投篮训练或比赛练习期间，如果他们错过了球，那么他们需要做10个俯卧撑。最终，这些方法奏效了，解决了队员迟到问题的同时，篮球训练的质量也得到了提升。

“我还学到更冷静地处理问题，以身作则，保持对细节的关注，对于新知识保持‘求知若饥’的状态。”

我认为，用行动证明一切，是最有效的领导方式。这也是我为什么总是不厌其繁地参与其中，与队员们一起训练。另外，保持对新鲜事物的“饥饿感”，乐于倾听和接纳了他人的建议，会促进我持续地思考。总的来说，方法总比困难多，经历这一项目，我离成为一名成功的领导者又近了一小步。

俗话说“借由教而学”。在领导学校篮球队训练的过程中，我的篮球技能也在进步。我一直认为，成功的球员一定是善于观察发现的人和谦虚好学的人。比如，科比·布莱恩能够成为历史上最伟大的球员之一，是与他的决心密切相关的。

“要成为一名优秀的球员，必须拥有善于反思的能力。对于具有反思能力的球员来说，失误往往是一种宝贵的经验，因为这样他们可以持续进步。”

就我而言，我正在通过发现问题、提出问题和查缺补漏来提高我的篮球技能。我也将继续与那些真正想提高自己的球员一起训练。因为我希望大家都能有良好的基本技能和篮球战略意识，方能在未来与其他球队比赛。毕竟，能代表学校与其他的学校球队比赛是一件很光荣的事情。