Basketball: Pauline Bouissou (CTC Élan Aveyron), experience to pass on

If Pauline Bouissou played rugby, saying that she is a pillar of the team would be a simple and effective pun, as she has accumulated years in the club. But the young Ruthénoise from the CTC Élan Aveyron basket (EAB) plays with a ball as round as it is orange. From her position as a strong winger, she is one of those who made the team fly to the National 3, in May 2019.

Two seasons later, Pauline Bouissou is the second oldest player on the team, whose average age is 22, and her coach hopes she becomes more “vocal leader, even if it is not in his nature“, recognizes Nicolas Flottes.

Step back

With the forced break due to Covid-19, the wingman clicked. “I have reflected, and I want to transmit, but on the individual contribution“Says the player, who declines the offer to carry the team with her voice. However, Pauline Bouissou recognizes that one of her strengths is the collective.”I prefer to pass one of my teammates, so that she can score, rather than shoot“, she says, acknowledging that her fault on the floor is”maybe the lack of aggressiveness“. But Nicolas Flottes appreciates that she puts”oil in the cogs!“.

The pandemic has also not made the winger take a step back only on the young average age of her team, but also on the practice of basketball in general.

“The break gave me a boost and the recovery feels good. I take it cooler and felt less apprehensive about friendlies.“Especially since the coach preferred to reduce the number of preparation meetings to let his players gradually resume.

Preperation

“This is the first year that I have felt so fit for a recovery, and in addition, for the return to training, I came back from two weeks of vacation“, smiles Pauline Bouissou.”You also trained well“, assure son coach.

If the EAB basketball players had a program to work physically during the first confinement, Nicolas Flottes has let them recharge their batteries in recent months. “We took each other’s hands and got together to go for a run. We needed it to let off steam.“

Despite her almost new passion for running, the strong winger soon returned to basketball. “With three training sessions per week, in addition to the weekly game, it takes time, but it’s a choice“Says the young woman, who likes to be with her teammates on the floor as much as outside.”We’re a good bunch of friends.“

The objective for the native of Rodez is “help the group“and to ensure maintenance with the team.”We are capable of it. You will have to work and listen to the coach’s instructions“, laughs the basketball player, looking at Nicolas Flottes out of the corner of her eye.