I was a hockey player.
From age 7, I laced up a battered second-hand pair of Bauer skates and leaned heavily on my stick. I remember shopping for my first set of hockey equipment with my dad. The shins pads were fitted for size, as were the shoulder pads, padded pants, gloves and helmet. Then, my dad picked up this strange triangular plastic thing.
“What’s that?” I asked him.
“Athletic protector,” he said quietly, obviously embarrassed.
“What is that for?”
“It’s a nose protector son,” he offered, just to shut me up. The plastic cup seemed kinda big for protecting something as small as your nose, but I tried it a few different ways as we walked up to the cash register.
So, what do I know from soccer? I am living in hockey heaven out here in Wayne Gretzky Town (aka Edmonton), but for reasons I don’t want to get into here, being a hockey dad is not on my agenda.
The soccer season is off to a rather wet start. The first game was rained out. The second game was rained out. And the third game was snowed out. Now, apparently, most of the Sundays in May and June will be devoted to make-up games.
When I signed the twins up to play, I wasn’t really thinking through the whole situation. Since there is a U8 girls team and a U8 boys team, the games take place on the same evenings at the same time – but in different places. Hmmm. Help?
Maddy played soccer as a little girl, so LA has some experience. Me, none. Case in point. Yesterday, I dressed them up in all their gear and headed down to the field for photos. As all the kids were lining up for the individual shots, I realized that the shin pads belonged inside the socks, not over them as I had done it. Not wanting my kid to be the one who wore his athletic supporter over his nose, I quickly grabbed each of them and pulled off their cleats, shin pads and socks and redressed them properly. I think the socks should be folded down below their knees, but owing to the cold wind blowing on picture day Ben seemed happier to pull them all the way up over his thighs – almost like soccer stockings. It’s quite a look.
I know the basic rules of the game (I think), but if anyone out there has any friendly advice, I’m all ears.
Glenn Hubbers
2 years ago
LOL, Jay, this is great! Thanks for the chuckle.
Beyond the basic rules of football (aka soccer in North America) is the thing that makes the game interesting for real fans and boring as hell for people who don’t get it. It’s basically a life sized game of chess punctuated by brief moments of action.
If you watch any professional football on TV you’ll see the pros spread all over the field staying in their position relative to the ball and other players. Just as Wayne Gretsky (an apt reference, btw), they are working to move to where the ball will be, not where it currently is.
Contrast that with most kids games, wherein at least half the kids on the field mass around the ball and move as a pack back and forth until some faster kid manages to get the ball and break away for a bit until he/she kicks it too far and can’t keep up, giving the throng time to catch up.
The successful team will be the one with kids who grasp this, either through the influence of the coach, parents, or the rare, shear luck of realizing it on their own, and they will spread out and watch their team mates more than they watch the ball.
My best advice for kids soccer? The best players are those who help the team win, not necessarily those who score the goals themselves.
Most of all, enjoy! I’m anticipating lots of fun and good stories posted here. Cheers!
masue
2 years ago
Great story LOL. If it makes you feel any better, for our first soccer season, last yr,i too put them on wrong. All the more reason they shd come with instructions. Yesterday we bought pink soccer shoes for the Girls this season. Last day piano today, soccer starts in a week or so.
Jeannie
2 years ago
Thanks for giggle and the jog to my memory Jay! My kids all played soccer and we loved it! One story I will share with you that you may want to keep in mind …. after an evening of watching Tim play soccer, I, in my great wisdom, lectured him all the way home from the field on what could have been done differently. When we pulled in the drive, I asked if he had any questions. He said “no … … but I do have a soccer coach mummy”. OUCH! Point taken, lesson learned! LOL!
Enjoy!
Jay Palter
2 years ago
I will consider all of these tips as soon as we have a game. With the wet snow still on the ground from Tuesday’s dumping, it looks like tomorrow’s games will be snowed out again. Thanks for sharing the insights.