Spring Soccer 2011

This Spring Aaris and Titus both played soccer.  They both made great strides in the sport and more so in themselves.  The funny thing is that it turned out that they both ended up on a team named "The Bulldogs." 

 Aaris' team in the 'home team' uniform

Aaris' team in their 'visitor team' uniform

 Titus' Bulldogs team

It turned out that no one stepped up to volunteer to coach Aaris' team, so I figured, "Why not me?"  I grew up playing the sport from the age of 5 and it was my love as far as sports goes.  But, I had never coached, much less coached a bunch of 5 and 6 year olds. 

 Aaris walking onto the field

 Aaris waiting her turn for a drill

 Aaris getting the ball past her coach (a.k.a. me)

 My team on the attack

 Aaris as goalie

Let me tell you, those kids changed me.  I fell in love with them.  They all had their special qualities.  They all had their challenges and I so badly wanted to help them each face these challenges and realize the greatness they had in them.  Oh, and Aaris and I had the added bonus of having two of her friends from church on her team: Sarah and Ashlyn

 After our first win!

Can see Aaris' two church friends next to her (Sarah and Ashlyn)

With Aaris' team it was a rough start because they came from an age group where they just learned that they were suppose to be playing with a soccer ball into an age group where they were suppose to understand all the rules, guidelines, strategies, positions, etc.  By the end of the year they were one of the strongest teams in their division and were getting compliments from the other teams.

 my players honoring me with a homemade card and sweet gift

Titus's team hung in there for being just about the youngest and shortest team in their division.  Titus could score up to 10 goals a game.  Where he had trouble was when the other team was just too big and dominating and he had to only play defense.  Aaron worked with him during the week and with all of the practice and knowledge he was about the only player on his team that understood how to get to the ball, trap it, turn it, drive it to the goal, and on defense how to get in front of the goal and block.  He made the most blocked goals on his team. 

Pretty sure I'll have one similar to this when he's in high school

 warming up with Daddy

After a game he would want to come home and spend the afternoon practicing.  One time when he got hurt and got emotionally upset a lot of the parents came up to him and said, "It's hard to be the best player on the team."  That blew me away.  My little runt of a boy was un-phased by all the older and bigger players. 

 Titus showing off his game injury

Titus practicing in the backyard - scoring using his in-step