Patina Chapter 5
Summary
TLDRIn this engaging chapter of 'Patinas' by Jason Reynolds, the track team's routine practice is disrupted by the introduction of a dance-like relay training. Coach Whit's unorthodox method of teaching the waltz to improve coordination and teamwork is met with initial resistance but eventually leads to a comical and bonding experience. The athletes learn to trust and synchronize their movements, highlighting the importance of unity and adaptability in sports.
Takeaways
- 🏃♀️ The script is from Chapter Five of 'Patina' by Jason Reynolds, focusing on a track practice session.
- 👟 Coach introduces a new practice element: working on the relay, specifically the 4x800 relay.
- 🏃 The boys' team lacks veteran sprinters, so the focus is on mid-distance runners for the relay.
- 👧 Patty, a new girl, is selected to join the girls' 4x800 relay team, which includes Deja, Crystal, and Brook.
- 🎵 Coach Whit uses an unconventional method to teach relay baton passing by having the team 'dance' to music.
- 💃 The dancing involves a waltz-like movement to mimic the rhythm and coordination needed in a relay handoff.
- 😅 The athletes initially resist the dancing practice, finding it awkward and unrelated to running.
- 🤸♀️ Despite the initial reluctance, the team members start to understand the purpose of the dancing as a way to build coordination.
- 🥇 Coach Whit emphasizes the importance of trust and teamwork in the relay, which is mirrored in the dance practice.
- 😄 The session ends with the team having fun and gaining a new perspective on the importance of synchronization in relay racing.
Q & A
What is the main activity described in the script?
-The main activity described in the script is a track practice session focused on relay training for a high school team.
What is the significance of the '4x800' relay in the script?
-The '4x800' relay is significant as it is the event the coach decides to focus on for the team's training, indicating it is one of their strong points.
How does the coach introduce the concept of dancing to the team during practice?
-The coach introduces the concept of dancing by using the waltz as a metaphor for the coordination and timing needed in the relay baton handoff.
What is the reaction of the team members to the dancing exercise?
-The team members initially react with confusion and reluctance, but eventually, they participate and find value in the exercise as it relates to their relay performance.
Why do the boys, Ghost and Lou, start dancing?
-The boys, Ghost and Lou, start dancing as a result of a prank or challenge set by the coach after they were caught smirking at the girls' dancing.
What does the coach mean when she says 'you might learn something'?
-The coach implies that the dancing exercise, despite seeming unrelated to running, could teach the team valuable lessons about coordination, timing, and teamwork.
What is the role of Coach Whit in the script?
-Coach Whit is responsible for teaching the girls how to perform the waltz as a way to improve their relay performance and coordination.
How does the script illustrate the camaraderie among the team members?
-The script shows camaraderie through shared humor, mutual support during the dancing exercise, and playful banter among the team members.
What is the significance of the character Sunny in the script?
-Sunny is mentioned as a character who the narrator has a close relationship with, indicating a sense of belonging and friendship within the team.
How does the script use humor to lighten the mood during the practice?
-The script uses humor through the dancing exercise, the reactions of the team to the waltz, and the playful teasing among the team members.
Outlines
🏃♂️ Track Practice and Relay Introduction
The script begins with a scene from a track practice session led by Coach, who outlines the day's routine, including a mix of regular running drills and specialized training for different types of runners. Unexpectedly, Coach introduces a new element to the practice: working on the relay race. The team is reminded of their numbers, with a nod to a missing member, and the coach emphasizes the importance of mid-distance runners for the 4x800 relay. The girls' team, including the narrator, is tasked to form a relay team, and the coach's approach to teaching them the handoff is likened to a dance, introducing a playful and unique method to improve their coordination and teamwork.
💃 Unconventional Training: The Waltz
Coach Whit introduces an unconventional training method by teaching the girls to waltz, using the dance as a metaphor for the relay race's handoff. The girls are initially skeptical and find humor in the activity, but they eventually participate, albeit with some reluctance. The coach's goal is to help the runners understand the importance of timing and coordination, which are crucial for a successful relay race. The session includes moments of laughter and light-hearted banter, but also a serious undertone about the necessity of the exercise for their performance as a team.
👣 Adjusting to the Waltz and Team Dynamics
The girls continue their dance practice, which parallels their relay training. They face challenges such as coordination and personal space, especially between the narrator and Britt, who struggle with their footwork. Despite the awkwardness and the teasing from male teammates, they persist in their practice. The coach emphasizes the importance of trust and adjustment in the dance, which is reflective of the teamwork required in the relay. The session ends with a humorous moment involving male runners, Ghost and Lou, who are caught off guard by the coach's orders to perform a waltz, leading to laughter among the team.
🤔 Reflections on the Dance and Relay Practice
After the dance practice, the narrator reflects on the experience and its relevance to the relay race. The coach's strategy of using the waltz to teach the handoff is questioned by the team, who find it amusing but not immediately practical. However, the coach explains that the practice is about learning to move in unison and trust each other, which is essential for the relay. The session concludes with the coach's plan to continue incorporating relay work into future practices, aiming for the team to be ready for an upcoming meet. The narrator also learns that some of the girls on the team have prior relay experience, which adds context to their reactions during the dance practice.
🏃♀️ Closing Thoughts and Personal Interactions
The script concludes with the narrator's personal interactions after practice. There's a playful banter with a teammate named Ghost, who is teased about his dancing skills, and a warm encounter with Maddie, who shows affection towards the narrator. The scene captures the camaraderie and light-heartedness among the team members, highlighting the social aspect of being part of a sports team. The chapter ends on a positive note, with the narrator looking forward to the next practice and maintaining a sense of humor and connection with their teammates.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Patinas
💡Track Practice
💡Relay
💡Coach
💡Mid-Distance Runners
💡Waltz
💡Synchronized Movement
💡Fartlek
💡Baton
💡Personal Growth
💡Team Dynamics
Highlights
Introduction of a new practice routine involving dancing to improve relay team coordination.
Coach introduces the concept of 'art likes garlic's', a running drill for the track team.
Specialized training for different types of runners: sprinters, mid-distance, and distance runners.
Coach's unexpected decision to work on the relay, a change from the usual practice routine.
The significance of the 4x800 relay and the selection of team members for it.
Coach Whit's unique approach to teaching the waltz as a metaphor for relay running.
The team's initial resistance and confusion about the relevance of dancing to their athletic performance.
The humorous interaction and camaraderie among the team members during the dancing practice.
The importance of trust and coordination emphasized through the dancing exercise.
The challenge of adjusting to the dance steps and the analogy to running relay baton exchanges.
The moment of realization among the team about the connection between dancing and running relays.
Coach Whit's revelation that she stopped counting, testing the team's ability to maintain rhythm without guidance.
The team's reflection on the experience and how it relates to their performance in the relay.
The integration of humor and bonding among the team, highlighting the importance of team spirit.
The unexpected participation of the boys' relay team in the dance, adding a comedic twist to the practice.
Coach Whit's final thoughts on the practice and the anticipation for the upcoming meet.
The personal connection and banter among the characters outside of the formal practice setting.
Transcripts
[Music]
hey guys and welcome to
chapter five of patinas by jason
reynolds
you do dance this time like an
old king is watching stiff and boring
by the time i reached the other side of
the track coach was already laying out
what everyone needed to do in practice
which for the most part was basically
what we always did on mondays
art likes garlic's which is basically
just when you run kind of fast for three
minutes then mail fast for one minute
and kinda fast for three minutes real
fast for one minute
over and over and over again then
there's some specialized training
where the sprinters would break off and
do their own thing the mid distance
runners do the same and the distance
runners well
they just ran they just run
they just run all practice but then out
of nowhere
coach threw a wrench in the plan we're
also going to spend some time working on
relay he said
slapping a baton against the high his
thigh
not all 20 of you there's 19 of us coach
chris is gone remember
aaron slipped in coach just raised his
eyebrows glared at aaron
in the i'm talking way plus rounding up
ain't against the rules
seriously anyway just my mid distance
runners for now
coach elaborated at some point we'll
develop the 4x400
but we don't have enough veteran
sprinters on the boys side for that
he nodded at ghost and lou we'll get you
newbies where you need to be soon
we got a long season ahead of us but for
now
let's start with one of our sweet spots
the 4x800
let me get freddy mikey eric and curron
and for the girls
i need deja crystal brook rat and
joining them as the fourth will be patty
he glared at me can you handle that i
nodded
good coach whit is going to work with
y'all these two groups are 4 by 800
relay teams
if anyone has a problem with this
decision speak now
or forever hold your piece i looked
around the circle at all the faces
each one either nodding or smirking i
was cool with running relay
even though i never had before i've
watched it enough times
at meets the olympic races they show on
tv the internet clips
to know what all you had to do was to
take the baton then run as fast as you
could
to hand it off to the next person like
passing the collection plate at church
alright ladies come this way coach wait
called leaving me and the other three
girls to the outside of the track
she was holding a small radio one of the
old ones with a cd player and a handle
the kind cotton's grandma got in her
kitchen whit said it on the track
then gave us what i can only describe as
an evil grin
today i'm going to teach y'all how to
dance
wait what dance rip rap back
i don't know about them she thumbed us
she thumbed at us
but i already know how to do that she
put our hands together in a single clap
then put them on up to her chest palms
out and started
shoving the air a standing push-up like
they did on the old school rap videos my
father made me watch
salt and pepper style hey dj howell
joining in dipping love
go deja go bri go go brit brat
it's your birthday but not really we at
track practice
we attract practice quack quack track
crack
crystal chanted i didn't join them but
their silly dancing definitely helped
with the process of pulling me out of my
second place lump
rip rat's craziness reminded me so much
of cotton's
jumping around clapping telling me to
make sure i'm getting good
angles with the phones this was
something taylor and tt and becca
and all their hair flippers i went to
school with couldn't do
what i was missing even so though me and
the girls on the track team could kind
of relate
i was still the new girl and i hadn't
really gotten close to everybody yet
at least not the vets my crew were the
newbies
and the only one of them i could see
breaking out in a full-on dance break
was sunny which would be the funniest
dance break of all time
with his lanky self so i didn't feel
like i could really join in
but goofiness definitely made me feel
like maybe i could vibe with them
maybe next time like maybe the vets were
cool
okay okay coach would try to settle us
down and hold in her laughter at the
same time
you do know there are other dances that
don't involve
all booty action right whatever wit
you probably be just like this in the
club
for popping deja with the back of her
hand
you be going to the tablet asked smiling
all silly
none of your business and this is not
the club which shut them down shaking
her head
anyway we're going to learn a different
kind of dancing she pushed play on the
radio
and the music that came wasn't came out
wasn't
it wasn't classical but oh
so the track ain't good enough to be at
the club but it's good enough to be a
ballroom
huh or some job ballroom that's the kind
of music it was
all royal sounding like we're about to
witness a prince and princess have their
first stance or something
that's right what said stepping back and
lifting one arm up
and the other arm as if she were being
held by someone
now this is called the waltz we all
stood there looking at her like she had
lost her mind
as if lifted onto her tippy toes and
started counting
one two three one two three one two
three one two three
moving robotically back then left then
front then right
dancing in squares the violins from the
dancing whining in the background
what y'all waiting for which falled out
stepping and sliding
her back stiff as a board we were
waiting for you to stop
crystal said and i'm waiting on y'all to
start
wit threw right back one two three one
two three and forward
i glanced over at the track the other
runners were doing their own thing
for the most part the distance runners
were working on pacing
the other 800 and the 800 runners were
running fartleks
working on endurance and sprinters well
specifically lou and ghost
they were looking over at us smirking
ugh you serious
brett was asking already knowing the
answer as a matter of fact
she didn't even wait for wit to answer
and instead saved herself the
frustration by being the trailblazer for
the rest of us
and getting in position one arm up as if
she were waiting
for someone to grab it and arm wrestle
her and the other arm curved as if
wrapped around the waist of somebody
else
someone with a rose in their mouth
crystal didn't follow
neither did deja but me i was new
and it didn't seem like a good idea to
pop slick on one of the coaches
so i did what i had to do and became a
real-life dance mannequin
as soon as i lifted my arm i could feel
losing ghost snickers run down my spine
prickly like ice water i didn't know if
they really were laughing
but i was pretty sure they were and even
if they weren't
i could feel them thinking about it one
two three one two
three coach whit was still counting and
pacing ignoring the fact that deja and
crystal were holding out
just do it for background at them so we
can get it over with
i just don't see what all this has to do
with running deja said
reluctantly lifting her arms i want to
tell you
but since y'all making me dance alone i
can't
whit said batting her eyes laughter just
under her tongue
ugh crystal threw herself into a lazy
karate stance
very nice now ladies follow me and then
back to the one two
three one two three except now we're
following what steps
backward left forward right one two
three
one two three one two three one two
three
four five six seven eight nine blah blah
blah blah
i muttered to myself betting that this
was what the real fart lickers
lou and ghost were saying to each other
their tongues hanging from their mouths
accounts
mimicking us me by doing the robot or
something
aaron was probably saying something like
you can't win first place being
ballerinas
even though this wasn't even ballet but
he was probably right
if he wasn't saying that i second place
winner
loser couldn't win first doing this i
didn't know what kind of trading methods
would had
or what discount isle coach found her in
but dancing
dancing one two three one
two three very nice girls it said i'll
coach you like this was real practice
then she sideswiped us now tara
what crystal stop arms down head cocked
you already won when the you you always
run when the you always run when the
gun goes off so i know you ain't deaf
crystal
what was clearly reaching the end of her
patient's rope and i couldn't blame her
but i also couldn't blame crystal for
being snappy this was
whack pair up you're going to dance with
each other
and you can pout and suck your teeth and
whatever else but if you want to win the
relay
as a team wit stop dancing folding your
arms across your chest
it's your call well no surprise here
i wanted to win i really wanted to win
straight up if whit told me that having
my blood cleared was one way to win
i would go to dialysis just like ma now
i know that ain't the case and i'd do it
if it was
i glanced over at brook rat nodded she
turned toward me and reached for my hand
let's just get it over with she mumbles
facing me but directing her words to
follow her
follow to her fellow vets crystal and
asia let out loud
breathy huffs and position themselves in
front of each other
now just like before but this time guide
each other
trust each other what look whit took a
pause
inhaled and lifted her arms as if she
were conducting an orchestra
and started again with the count one two
three
me and brook brat took a step back back
for brit forward for me
it was awkward same leg same motion
same time went instructed one two three
me and brit move left it was a little
smoother one
two three forward which was actually
backward for me
not smooth at all as a matter of fact
brett stepped on my foot
good thing she's light keep me move keep
moving
one two three to the right decent and on
and on but every time we'd make this
step forward
which was my step backward britt would
crush me
just squash my feet with hers until
finally i couldn't take it no more
you think you could watch your feet brit
i said trying to be as nice as possible
i didn't want her to think i was coming
at her or anything i didn't need no
drama
but i did need my toes i mean who can
run with broken feet
when i said it i braced myself for a
quick sharp tongue lashing
that i usually served up whenever
somebody tried me
my bad brit said softly which i have to
admit threw me for a loop
i guess i should have expected her to
trip especially since she was the first
person
to even give this whole dancing thing a
chance my feet are huge
i look down whoa when most people say
that well
first of all i'm only used to being
i'm only used to them being boys boys
around barnaby terrace like david hunter
who at 10 years old wore a size 10 shoe
my mother said
he had feet like row boats and if that
was the case then brook brat had
yachts how do you even run in those
things
i wanted to say it's cool
is actually is what i actually said one
two
three but it wasn't cool because it kept
happening
she would try to move them to the side
but they just
they were everywhere everywhere one two
three
one two three ouch
i had to adjust started taking bigger
steps back in hopes of steering clear of
those floppers
and it worked but then she adjusted to
my adjustment and still caught my big
toe
ugh very good ladies now i want you to
take one step back
hold your pose but separate yourself
from your partner
coach whit instructed the song now
fading out
a new and beginning the sound of
collapse came from the other end of the
track
i cringed already knowing what was
happening but i had to look anyway
and there they were ghost and lou
slapping their stupid hands together
like clowns
dancing with the stars patty lou yelled
out
and before i could say anything and i
was going to
coach like coach coach started laughing
too
he had been working with the boys relay
on the field and was now walking toward
living ghost
letting up the nastiest crackle ever so
loud and ridiculous that everyone
stopped what they were doing to watch
him
he laughed and laughed slapped his knee
and patted his chest
and throwing his head back all the way
across the field until he reached
lou and ghost up by the hundred meter
start line
he threw his arm around both of their
shoulders they were still
chuckling then coach whispered something
in lose ear
then in ghosts and then they weren't
smiling no more
coach pulled away from them and took a
few steps back
ghost and lou looked horrified
but then they faced each other awkwardly
took each other by the hands awkwardly
held each other barely around the waist
awkwardly and did their version of the
waltz
whoa i almost passed out and wasn't the
only one
everyone started losing it come on
fellas stay on beat
one two three one two three i yelled
snapping my fingers on count
brook brat jumped right in and so did
crystal and deja
even wit joined us one two three one two
three one
two three we all chanted eventually
leading to everyone chanting
all runners even sunny
then we were all singing one two three
waving our arms around like conductors
i don't know why it just seemed
appropriate watching lou
and ghost waddle side to side like
toddlers who had just pooped their pants
okay okay ladies coach whit cut his cut
us off
still laughing and tried to wrangle us
back in
let's refocus we all regained our
composure and tried to reposition
ourselves for what for more waltzing
just as we grabbed hands coach whit said
we're gonna do the same thing
but this time let go of each other's
hands separate yourselves so that
another person could fit between you
wait
crystal said immediately winding up her
arms went from around ages to her own
hips
so now we got to dance in threes well if
that's the case
i volunteered deja to dance between them
too
crystal pointed at me and brook brat
crystal
no just coach whit
was stuck struck by crystal's
ridiculousness
the one of y'all explained please deja
took on the task
then we took our places again but this
time brit and i were standing about a
foot away from each other
we held our hands the same and omits
count dance the waltz one more
back wit instructed nice and smooth
remember when you were closer the
pressure of your partner knowing the
steps
working and moving in unison you like a
hippie or something
deja asked focus whit said might learn
something
doubt it crystal grout crystal groused
under her breath
but still loud enough for us to hear one
two three
left now forward i was happy relieved
there was space between brit and me
space for her feet to meet the ground
and not my toes
it was kind of cool to see all four of
us moving around swaying and stepping
all at the same time reminded me of the
olympics
the only thing i the only thing i like
to watch besides running
are the synchronized swimmers i mean to
move like that in the water is crazy
cheerleaders do it too sort of but not
like synchronized swimmers
and me deja and crystal once we've
when she finally showed up we're like
synchronized swimmers
uh synchronized runners ah
sneaky sneaky witch
we had made like 20 or 30 squares before
it finally
thank you lord cut the music okay that's
enough
good job so how did it feel then she
pointed at crystal
who was already fixing her mouth to
crack a joke wit didn't say nothing to
her
just pointed like don't it felt weird at
first
i spoke yeah definitely and i kept
stepping on patty's feet wait a minute
but then we kind of adjusted you know
right same for us
like after a few times you just kind of
stopped thinking about it
asia said coach looked at crystal who
was smirking
it was cool she said with a shrug eyes
everywhere
coach went nodded poked her bottom lip
out not in the sad way but in the
surprised and satisfied way
well let me ask you this a clever grin
replacing the pokey lip
how many of you realize that i stopped
counting
a long time ago the rest of practice was
giving us the rundown about the handoff
the passing of the baton
and how it was just like the dancing the
waltz but we didn't actually practice it
she said we would be spending a portion
of every practice for the rest of the
week doing the relay work
she was hoping that we'd be ready to
give it a try by saturday's meet
i found out after practice that crystal
deja and brip rat had run relay last
year
which is why they were so annoyed by the
whole dancing thing
i'm just saying it ain't that deep you
run and you hand the stick to the next
person
then they run that's pretty much exactly
what i thought it was
all this cha-cha mess was i mean it's
fine
but ain't necessary crystal complained
afterward
she took a swig of water then threw her
bottle in her duffel bag and zipped it
shut
the waltz i corrected her even though
she was echoing my own feelings
it was cool but it didn't really seem
all that helpful
at least not yet crystal shot me a look
but i didn't pay it no mind because over
her shoulder i could see maddie coming
toward me
crystal went on mimicking the one two
three count
deja chiming in with perfect amount of
contemplate
complementary snark for breath lap
rat laughing at them both i i'll see you
all tomorrow
all right patty bye patty yo patty this
was just coming off the track wiping his
face with the bottom of his shirt
you out yeah without saying nothing
he cracked his head to the side so you
ain't one of us no more
you too good for sunny lou and me he
smiles making it clear he was joking
sunny's my guy i love sunny oh you love
sunny but not me and lou
i mean the moment maddie's arms wrapped
around my waist
i could feel her rocking back trying to
get me to lift
off my feet i kiss around the top of the
head immediately noticing fewer beads on
her braids which was normal
they fall off during the week like
acorns from a tree
hey hey i tried to get her to stop
squeezing
tell mom lee i'm coming first say hi to
ghost
maddie waved then turned and ran back
and ran back toward the car
now back to ghost i mean i wouldn't want
to get in the middle of y'all a
relationship
stop dancing so sweetly with each other
stop so precious i'm leaving
ghost turned around and walked toward
lou who was sitting on the bench
unleashing his track shoes come on ghost
ghost don't be that way i begged his
back
bye patty he threw his hands up
dismissing me
i love you ghost i shouted but just not
as much as i love sunny
of course sonny heard me which i wasn't
thinking about when i said it
we caught eyes but i didn't want to make
it weird or for him to think it was
anything more than a joke so i added
because you pay attention to details
then held my hand up
spirit finger style thanks to noticing
my flow joes
see you tomorrow all right guys good
luck on the quiz i will see you for
chapter six
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