As more athletic girls slammed volleyballs across the net, she worried about tripping or being hit by a ball. In order to avoid playing, she often sat on the sidelines and acted as the announcer. For years after, she told herself she was simply too clumsy for ball games. But a year ago, Ms. Chavez, now 26, began playing basketball with a friend and discovered she’s pretty good at shooting and dribbling. “Being afraid, being avoidant, did me more harm than good,” said Ms. Chavez, who said she still is so clumsy that she has the occasional accident.

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Persons: Carmen Chavez, Chavez, ”, “ I’m, Jill Zwicker Organizations: University of British Locations: University of British Columbia