Emily played soccer for the first time 18 months ago and I swore I wouldn't put her in it again because it was just so mind-numbingly boring watching a pack of kids run around the soccer field in a big clump trying to kick the ball. Well, I gave in and put her in it this fall because her best friend was playing and Emily wanted to try again. Mark is their coach and the first couple of games were just hilarious...kids standing around looking at the sky while the ball goes right through their legs, doing cartwheels, jumping on each other's backs, kicking each other shins to test out their shin guards...I think most of you know what I'm talking about. Well, after a couple of these kinds of games and getting killed by the other teams I decided to urge Emily to try a little harder, pay more attention and actually follow the ball after she kicks it.
A few games into the season, things were looking up. The team was improving a little, the kids were having fun, parents were commenting on how much better they were all doing, however, the team was still getting killed and the other teams scored more goals for us than we scored for ourselves. Mark was doing a fine job coaching but last week he was in Provo and didn't make it back in time so I reluctantly stepped in. The second I stepped onto the field my competitive side fired up and the game was on!!! I quickly figured out how to get the kids to run a "fast break" and Emily scored for the first time in her life!!! It was so exciting!!! So we did it over and over again and ended up winning the game! Everyone was so happy and it felt good. I think everyone had fun...because winning is fun. Right?
Mark was out of town again tonight and I was happy to sub. We were playing the best team in the league and their coach is a jerk. I have to admit, I spent a little bit of time today scheming about how to beat this team or at least score on them. To make a long story short, we scored a couple of times, all the kids got to kick and throw the ball in, they were completely exhausted by the end of the game, one of my parents took their kid out of the game and left, I got on the ref and the other coach for standing in the goalie box while my team was trying to score, and I nearly lost my voice. I am not meant to coach 5 and 6 year olds. So I'm super competitive...is there something wrong with that? If so, I blame my parents.
6 comments:
Why did the mom pull her kid during the game?
If you don't play to win, you might as well ride the exercise bike.
She said she pulled her kid because the game was way too intense for 5 year olds and he wasn't able to run around and goof off the whole time. Because I was actually making him play the game. Poor kid...he might actually learn something.
Cute blog! It was so fun to see you & Mark and your girls at Lagoon today! Email me and I'll send you an invite to my blog.
jendaren12@connect2.com
Amy-
You are killing me! This post is hillarious. I'm having flashbacks to playing soccer with the kids this summer and you & I both ended up with bruises a couple days later! There is nothing wrong with a little healthy competition! So funny. I wish I was there to watch you coach...
Just got home from visiting our daughter, Dore', in Washington. Her daughter, Novalie, who is 5, "plays" soccer. I like how they start them off in the Pullman Washington recreation department. There are 6 five year olds on a team and they play 3 on 3 for two 20 minute halves. They play on a small field and each player gets a chance to be goalie and to run up and down the field trying to score a goal. They can freely sub. About the only fouls they call are if a player uses his hands. Of course, if the ball is kicked out of bounds the opposite team throws it in. I was impressed because each kid comes in contact with the ball and there is not a big bunch of players on the ball. They are all kindergarteners. It was fun watching. Celia
Celia, I like that idea. There is such a big difference between Kinder. and 1st grade kids on the soccer field. We had some really big kids and some really tiny kids. I think I will propose that to our rec dept. Thanks.
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