Soccer

Soccer season is here again!  Charlie has been SO excited to play again.

We were "those" parents and asked if Charlie could play up an age group.  We felt that he would be a bit more challenged with an older group and he seemed to gravitate that way during the summer soccer camp.  We did that a little naively I would say, as I am not around 1st and 2nd graders much.  It didn't hit me that kids that age are much bigger and much stronger - a second grader versus a kindergartener looks much different when shooting into the goal during the drills.  I started to feel bad, worried that we had pushed him too far and afraid that he would feel discouraged because he felt he couldn't keep up.  If you know Charlie, you know that he is pretty competitive and he can get frustrated easily if he doesn't feel like he is doing well.

Well, he sure did prove me wrong, and eased my worries at the same time.  Once they got a practice scrimmage going, Charlie was right in there holding his own.  The one thing he has in his favor is that he is an aggressive player and wants to be where the action is.  He got bounced around off of the bigger kids a few times but he always got right back up and into the game.  I saw his determination to do his best and play hard shining through, and I couldn't help but fast-forward in my mind wondering where he'll use that trait in his future.  I think he impressed a few parents as well, as I don't think anyone was expecting a little aggressive power house in that small frame. 

The most important thing of the entire evening was that when Charlie came off the field he said, "I had so much fun tonight!  When do I get to play again?"  That is what sports are all about!

Here is a video of some of the practice scrimmage.



And lastly, I will say that I am a little bit relieved to learn that there is another family who has their kindergartener playing on that team as well, so at least I have some company in "that parent category".