Spread out, keep your head up, and use both feet!
I first played soccer when I was thirty, joining a local co-ed team that needed someone foolish enough to play goalie. I actually liked the game and wished I could have played it in high school, rather than basketball where I was height-challenged and could barely dribble with my left hand. I lasted until I was forty when a very strong woman kicked me in the ribs after I had secured the ball making a diving save. The ref didn’t even give her a yellow card!
I lasted until a very strong woman kicked me in the ribs…
Because I was actually playing soccer I was recruited to coach my son’s competitive teams, beginning when he was ten and finishing when he turned eighteen. During that time I also was an assistant coach for the local Shoreline Middle School, a position I held for a dozen years. Those bygone times were generally fun and rewarding, except for the occasional parent drama that reared its head maybe once a season. I even subjected myself to being a referee for a couple years, officiating some high school and upper-level traveling teams. I quit after I was accosted in the parking lot by the angry father of a kid who was the recipient of one of my bad calls. Note, I never saw a professional scout at any game I coached or refereed.
I was surprised several weeks ago when my son asked me to be the assistant to the assistant coach for my six-year-old grandson, who had signed up to play on an under-eight team. Without really thinking I said yes, figuring my experience would be beneficial to the team. But before I could meet the team, I had to undergo some heavy scrutiny. I paid $25 to get fingerprinted, submitted to a police background check, and spent three hours completing an online sexual harassment seminar. It’s all for the good, but I no longer wonder why leagues have a hard time filling coaching positions. An undocumented superstar could never coach on our fields.
My first time with the team I thought I would lay down the three things I wanted them to learn this year:
1) Spread out
2) Keep your head up
3) Use both feet
When I asked if there were any questions, one player raised his hand and asked if there were going to be snacks this year.
Another asked about the color of our uniforms.
A third boy had to go to the bathroom.
After tying several shoes, we passed out balls and ran a few simple drills.
I worked hard to instill those three basic tenets, but it soon became apparent we had a wide range of skills on the team. Four players knew the game and could be counted on to kick the ball in the right direction, pass to a teammate, and play some defense. Four others had potential but displayed very poor ball skills and followed the ball around like a litter of puppies. The remaining two kids—and granted they were the youngest—hadn’t a clue on the pitch. One constantly sat down in the middle of the field and the other walked about aimlessly, one time luckily kicking the ball into our own net and celebrating effusively.
I was surprised several weeks ago when my son
asked me to be the assistant to the assistant coach
for my six-year-old grandson’s soccer team…
I must say our parents were cool. They cheered everyone, provided the much-needed snacks, kept their younger kids and dogs off the field, and made a human tunnel at the end of games for the players (both teams) to run through. One was even nice enough to inform me that we played the entire first half with an extra man on the field, but didn’t want to make a big deal about it. I think they were just pleased to be able to have a responsible adult, besides themselves, supervising their children. And after all, we were a recreation team, not a traveling comp team, whose parents seemed to enjoy driving great distances to see their kid play ten minutes and maybe miss the ball at a crucial time during the match. God bless them.
As the season winds down, I’m glad I decided to coach again, although it may be just this single year. Coaching six and seven-year-olds is a lot different than coaching older boys. My initial expectations have been tempered, and I’m allowing myself to just enjoy things. I can laugh at a funny play even though it may go against us, and I can appreciate a well-placed goal or pass by the opposition. A rare goal by our team sets off wild celebrations that are the best. Also, the two young players that have yet to grasp the game—they are now my favorites! And of course, the most important rule of soccer is: HAVE FUN.
