You should be daaaancing, yeah

Brittany, the team's best dancer, watches me as I execute a ball change. "I can't do that."

I slow it down. Show her in front of the mirror. Tell her to copy me.

"Do it again," she says. "I'm confused."

"Didn't you used to do ballet?" I say.

"Yes."

"You can do this." I show her again.

"Nope. Not happening."

"All right," I say. "Something else."

When in doubt--plunge the routine to the floor. Stop, drop, and roll. Throw in a flexible kick or two, hope it hits the right notes. Certainly this is more complicated than a ball change, but now Brittany's following me. Whatever works.