And The Team Played On
I wasn't eager to coach a soccer team of boisterous 4th and 5th grade boys, but no other parent stepped up, so I volunteered.
Surprisingly, it turned out to be kind of fun. I especially liked seeing the goofy smile on my son's face when he kept calling me "Coach."
The boys were blissfully unaware of my almost complete lack of knowledge of the game of soccer (or football for the rest of the world). Ummm, yeah, you kick the ball in the goal. What else is there to know?
We ran passing and kicking drills in practice. The kids worked well together, and I had them under control most of the time. They were coming together as a team, getting some exercise and, most importantly, having a lot of fun.
Then they started playing league games. Five so far. They've lost every single one.
Not by much. The games have all been competitive, except for that one team with the kid who scored seven straight goals (their coach would yell, "Just get the ball to James and let him take it.")
But still, losing isn't much fun. Only, the kids don't seem to think it's that big of a deal. They're happy just to run all over the grass field kicking a ball around with their buddies.
No, the losing part isn't much fun for me. Makes me feel like I didn't "coach" them enough, even though that's not really the point of Parks & Rec soccer.
But there's still hope. We have one more game, and it's tonight! If you've a mind to, say a little prayer for my boys to run faster and kick straighter, and hopefully we can pull out a victory in my farewell performance as a soccer coach.
After tonight, I'm hanging up the old clipboard and letting one of the other parents step up.
I'll still let my son call me "Coach" though.
Permalink posted by Idaho Dad at 1:33 AM
10 Comments:
As long as the kids are having fun, you're doing your job.
Phil-
Keep in mind you are the parent that stepped forward and gave those boys the opportunity to play - unlike the parents who sit on the sidelines! My favorite mantra- "You are doing it for the kids" Bravo to you - Coach!!!
As a parent that has also stepped up I say good job. Fun is key!
Maybe you should get them a bird.
Kudos to you for taking on the important role of "coach." I think you should stay on as the coach. It is about the fun.
Sounds like there having fun!
Kind of said that people always pick leaders apart. Sounds kind of like how people pick our Prime Minister(or President) apart no matter who or how good they are.
So, did you win? If you lost at least it was a perfect season.
Never thought about that. It definitely would be cool to have your kid call you coach. And I hear you - yes, it's not all about winning, but when you're the guy who is in charge of the winning, it can feel like kind of a weight to bear. Oh, by the way - you won the Happy Meal Star Wars bobbleheads. Check out my blog and email me your address. Congrats!
Kudos! It's not if you win or lose and all that. Who knew it was true!
This sounds exactly like my soccer coaching story. Stepped up because nobody else did, didn't know beans about the game and lose, lose, lose they did. It was a good time though. Except for the grandparents. I had one grandpa on my case for everything. Finally I said to him, "I thought this was all for the boys so that they could have a good, fun experience. He didn't have much to say. Good experience overall, but like you, somebody else can, and is doing it.
In echoing what anonymous and most of the others said, congrats for stepping up and coaching so the kids can play. I did the same for my oldest daughter's pre-soccer team (3-5 yr olds).
It was much more basic than what you went through, but definitely still fun.
Winning is important, but having fun and learning trumps it all. Great post.
-Mike
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