Rando dont worry about sharing.... peels' all fulla feels these days....age maybe? very sorry to hear about your friend. Shoulda said something... we had some tots and pears to give you.
got a long read for ya. perspective on where I am at as a human being. if you followed meh fb or insta (just started using it again lol) youd see this stuff. its about soccer so pre-warning.....
i know you guys like to hate on it -it cracks me up-its hilarious.... but something has woken up inside of me this year...in like an "ive found my calling" sorta way. Now Iv'e always enjoyed the sport... in fact, its the only one i really enjoy -i hate sports mostly, unless they involve engines lol. Iv'e always coached kids soccer in some way....save for a few years pre-parenthood. Its just in my blood....and in a way I feel connected to my dad, whom I for some reason, miss terribly lately. He did the same for me, when I came home at 4 yrs old, and said i wanted to play. He only knew the sport from watching it from the tower of his aircraft carrier.....but immediately got involved, coaching. I played at top league in my city in Cali... then got moved to Iowa, where...soccer is an afterthought. Still played but patchy and we drove everywhere. Then it mostly stopped when I turned 18. I explained it to a couple other coaches... and parents. ...Iv'e been alone with this sport with pent-up excitement for some 20+yrs.... Only watching games alone, coaching kids...letting my fanboyness out in little bits. Now, meeting all these folks into it, who arent a-holes, kids who are excited.. im like that volcano in Hawaii. Its pouring outta me like lava destroying everything in its path.
This year, I started coaching(and Colin started playing) in the local "club" team-higher level training, competition etc.. I always had reservations about it, cost, travel... is it worth it, will he enjoy no longer being the biggest fish, are the parents dickhead rich people with flatbilled hats and neck tats...
etc. The problem with the sport in this country vs others....it isnt part of our culture.. Only kids with money play it, the lower income people are left behind due to this.. comparatively, anyways. Other countries, its in their culture. Much like baseball, or basketball here. I mean... Drive by most (not ours) suburban home, kids are outside emulating Lebron, Michael Jordan, or (insert baseball person-i hate on baseball like you guys hate on soccer
) Free play and self discovery is what makes you better, not coaches screaming at you. (this is also true in life) I hate that type of environment, and was glad to see the folks I'm working with are not that way at ALL. They dont "cut" kids. just move them between teams for more development. THey also dont force the kids to be at practice, or tell them they cant play other sports, which is annoying. My whole goal is more kids playing better. that cant come from above. Also, i dont care if they play other sports, but my second goal, is to create an environment where they dont want to.
SO, cant change things unless you get involved.....
The group I took over, the 11u team (11 yrs or under) The coach is who brought us in. he was doing 2 teams. 11 and 12's. Excellent coach, just stretched himself-seemed stressed. He starts buggin me... i'm thinking about it...not seriously though-sports should be fun, but.... Colin is crushing other kids at rec level....to an unfair level He was invited to play along as guest player. I watched-Kids seem unengaged..bored.... lol so I agree to just attend a coaches meeting-no more. The director. an englishman, awesome dude. Buys me a couple pints of Guinness.... the Chairman, who i know...sort of... and looks uber familiar... We leave the meeting, i still wasn't decided. See him in parking lot.... He hands me a jacket, with my name embroidered on it. And says "your dad probably smiling down like a motherf**ker right now" Now, you guys know, I have exactly zero level of spirituality, and dont believe in "Smiling down" but ill be got damned if it didnt touch my non existent soul. and confuse me -because -who is this guy?
He looks at me, "you dont recognize me do you?" me: "sort of, should i?" well. My dad and I had coached him in the inaugural season for Jr HIgh Soccer in our little Iowa town (that hated the sport publicly) and said that was the best time in his life. so, though proud. yes, I am very old. lmao
So, this spring, Me and Colin roll in ridiculous soccer fans..one season i've got these little shits lighting up like Christmas trees. Kids having a blast, getting better....parents all up in my grill thanking me... now, were playing in leagues of teams that are well above our learning level... so they lost a ton. But... this very last game out under the lights.... I got to do one of my favorite routines. I gave the kids their formation and lineup, then walked away, said "you know what im gonna say, Im just a fan until you guys need me" Walked over to the sidelines, coached the parents instead. Told them i need them loud, make sure the boys know youre behind em. Well, My boys scored first, early, then held on, against a waaaay better organized and experienced team, that also played well. Of course, Some kids, still not so good, need help. One of those kids, little chubby kid...I let him play at the beginning... late in game hes sittin' on the bench, i have him go in 5 minutes left and tell him to be tough dont let anyone in (also tell couple better players this is happening and to cover him). He looks at me. Almost tears up, "wow, i get to play in the final! my basketball coach would never let me play at all" goes in crushes it lol. Peels' little fragile Heart was bleeding..... Parents on the sidelines...cheering...singing chants. it was amazing. Same kid, we had our last practice yesterday.... I Asked him how his summers been going, and how baseball was. "i quit baseball, soccer's my sport, coach" fuk yeah i win i win....
I have more smily stories from this that have been lighting me up inside...but....IM pretty sure Ive bored you guys already so ill end here.. I mean 3 paragraphs of soccer.....
Quite happy, All my kids registered to play again-100% return rate -plus two additional signups - after my first season. It's Never happened before they tell me.
Basically, Its more than just a sport to me. We're making responsible young men who WANT to succeed, not just expect that they will. But, doing it, using a sport IM obsessed with so....
ok you can wake up now soccer chat is over.
