Erics First Soccer Match
Eric had his first soccer match today. It was actually 2 matches each with 15 minute 1/2's.
I love my son and after replaying the whole match in my mind, I am positive of 2 things;
I played soccer when I was a kid and while I lacked the concentration and discipline to make me a great soccer player, I was not bad. I see in my son the same ability, he is bigger and stronger than the other kids (I was not), and when he puts his mind into the game he does well, but most of the time he is just running around aimlessly chasing the ball. Just like me.
When I played soccer as a kid, my dad was always there cheering me on from the sidelines. He was so loud about it that I frequently found it embarrassing. Then when 1/2 time came or the game ended, Dad would come along for a quick pep talk, some advice to try to help me get better. I never listened.
Now Eric is on the field and I did my best to control myself, though it was very hard, as even the Japanese parents were all yelling and screaming too. Just like my Dad I came to Eric and tried to give him some advice and telling him how good of a job he was doing.
Eric did listen a little and I was pleased that he tried to do some of the things I told him. I saw him use a little more body and size in his second time out on the field to keep other kids away from the ball or to take it away.
I promised that during the week Eric and I would go out and kick the ball around at least 1 or 2 times. The problem with that is I always need to play 3 or 4 games that have something to do with the soccer ball but not with "Soccer" and when I try to teach him a drill to improve his ball handling he complains and says "Dad I don't want to do that."
I will just keep trying to teach him to focus, on the game and on his skills, and try to make sure it is fun so he doesn't loose interest like I did.
I love my son and after replaying the whole match in my mind, I am positive of 2 things;
- Eric is my son.
- I am my Doug's (my father) son.
I played soccer when I was a kid and while I lacked the concentration and discipline to make me a great soccer player, I was not bad. I see in my son the same ability, he is bigger and stronger than the other kids (I was not), and when he puts his mind into the game he does well, but most of the time he is just running around aimlessly chasing the ball. Just like me.
When I played soccer as a kid, my dad was always there cheering me on from the sidelines. He was so loud about it that I frequently found it embarrassing. Then when 1/2 time came or the game ended, Dad would come along for a quick pep talk, some advice to try to help me get better. I never listened.
Now Eric is on the field and I did my best to control myself, though it was very hard, as even the Japanese parents were all yelling and screaming too. Just like my Dad I came to Eric and tried to give him some advice and telling him how good of a job he was doing.
Eric did listen a little and I was pleased that he tried to do some of the things I told him. I saw him use a little more body and size in his second time out on the field to keep other kids away from the ball or to take it away.
I promised that during the week Eric and I would go out and kick the ball around at least 1 or 2 times. The problem with that is I always need to play 3 or 4 games that have something to do with the soccer ball but not with "Soccer" and when I try to teach him a drill to improve his ball handling he complains and says "Dad I don't want to do that." I will just keep trying to teach him to focus, on the game and on his skills, and try to make sure it is fun so he doesn't loose interest like I did.
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| Eric-soccer-01-s.jpg | 49.04 KB |
| Eric-soccer-03-s.jpg | 43.76 KB |
| Eric-soccer-02-s.jpg | 48.36 KB |