Soccer Update

U10 Mutiny Soccer Update:

Kennedy's team has played several games. They're about .500 right now, but the key is, they are improving every game. I've enjoyed the coaching aspect of the game immensely, and my understanding of the game at this level has improved quite a bit.

The fun of coaching this level is this: the idea is to keep the forwards in front, the backs in back, and the mids in-between. Invariably, the players on my team will get one message from me and a different message from their parents. Especially forwards. I try to teach them to play "offense, offense, offense," yet parents insist that their daughters move back almost all the way to the penalty box to help out on defense. Así es la vida.

The other point about coaching at this level is that they are more apt to listen to their coach (yeah!), which makes their parents yell all the more loudly!!!

U8 Fire Soccer Update:

Natalie's team is doing well.  They've had several games, and are probably not up to .500 for the season currently. We very seldom have all our girls at any given game. Last Saturday we had five girls total show up to play five positions. They were worn out by the end of the game.

U8 is still in the realm of what I call "magnet ball." Imagine that the ball is a magnet, and all the players are iron shavings. They are totally and irresistibly attracted to the ball. We have been able to keep two defensive players on the defensive side of the field for most of the game. The danger there is, they are usually chatting or daydreaming when the ball comes down toward the goal they are defending. That makes for exciting moments.

We have just three more weeks of soccer left to play. And no fall soccer, considering the girls' league plays only in the spring. So, we're going to enjoy it while we can.