3-2 was the score of Max's first soccer game for his under-7 soccer team, "The Sliders". They defeated "The Grasshoppers" while having a very good time. Several things impressed me about the game:
First, Max's coach, Ted, was very good about switching kids around to the various positions. Max played offense, defense, and goalie at various points in the game. He was also very good about doing "whole team" substitutions, keeping his kids energy level high through the whole game.
Second, we have some very good dribblers on this team. My memories of refereeing soccer games for kids at this age include strong images of the "beehive" with all the kids swarming around a single point (the ball) and all pretty much moving in tandem across the field. It was pretty easy to referee such a game since you just waited until the beehive entered one of the goals to blow your whistle and award the relevant team a point. Max's team had some of that, but there were several kids who are showing a good understanding of what it means to move the ball down the field. We even had a few situations occur that I would label "a pass" from one kid to the next and we had some great shots on the other team's goal.
Third, these kids showed real spirit, since the other team scored first, then Max's team tied the game up, then the other team scored again almost right away, and Max's team fought back and eventually tied the game again, and then went ahead to win. They never let the fact that the other team was scoring get them down. (I think actually its because they were so young... there's not much of a mental game going on at this level.. they are just having fun. I think grownups could learn quite a bit by watching them play and be reminded about what the game's all about!)
Fourth, Max did really well. He engaged in the game and didn't shy away from confrontation. Max is not very tall for his age, but he didn't let taller boys intimidate him... he got in there and got his foot on the ball. We were very proud of him!
Fifth, Max's cousin Wyatt is on the same team and he did good as well. Its great that Max and Wyatt get to be on the same team... they get to see each other twice a week at practices and then at their games on Saturday from now until the middle of October!
Finally, it appears that I like being a "soccer dad". I was out there cheering on the kids and having a great time. :-)
Ken
P.S. One "fun fact": the son of the CU soccer coach is on the team. His wife is a co-coach with Ted and is there for all the practices but just last week the coach showed up and helped Ted run the practice. So, by pure chance, Max is occasionally getting one-on-one time with CU's soccer coach! :-)
