Just Kickin' It at Soccer
Last year Tanner decided to venture into new waters by trying out soccer. It was a first for our family and we learned a lot. Tanner enjoyed it so much, he had his brothers and sisters convinced that it was the best sport to play in the summer... much better than baseball. So of course, everyone jumped ship on baseball this year and moved over to soccer... except Tanner (and Ashlyn)... who decided to venture into new waters by trying golf, and convinced his twin sister it was the best sport to play in the summer and talked her into doing it with him. But that is another post. THIS post is all about my little soccer stars:
Charlotte:
When Tanner started soccer last year, he was 11 and at that point, they were playing full on, real soccer. So when we started with Charlotte I was very surprised at how different things are for the 5-6 year old division. First of all, she only has 5 kids on her team! We have never played a sport with so few kids on a team. Even crazier, only 3 kids on the team play at a time. This is 3 on 3 soccer. The goals are about the size of a laundry basket and the field length is very small, which is nice because they don't get worn down quite as much as the big kids. They also aren't allowed a goalie and they don't keep score... that's not to say that Charlotte hasn't jumped in front of the goal and tried to act as goalie on many occasions. She is having a wonderful time and looks forward to all of her games. I have been so proud to see her jump right in to the action. She has scored a couple of goals so far and is very proud of that fact. Though the teams are totally randomized, she did luck out and get to be on a team with her friend Lexi and it has been so much fun!
Charlotte's soccer debut:
The rules for Ian's league are a little different. They do play full field. They do have a goalie, and they do keep score. Ian's coach is a senior girl from Blackfoot High School. She is coaching this team as her senior project and because she needs the hours and wants to do a good job, these kids practice A LOT. As far as I can tell, they practice more than any other team. And it is paying off. Ian has learned so much about soccer and has improved leaps and bounds to catch up with the kids who have been playing for years. This kid is extremely aggressive and has already scored two goals this year. He has played about every position on the field including goalie. And every time I ask him if he is enjoying the sport, he always replies with an enthusiastic, "Yeah, it's awesome!"
Ian the awesome goalie:
I am starting to learn to understand and appreciate this sport. I just wish it didn't have to be played in 90 degree weather!
Charlotte:
When Tanner started soccer last year, he was 11 and at that point, they were playing full on, real soccer. So when we started with Charlotte I was very surprised at how different things are for the 5-6 year old division. First of all, she only has 5 kids on her team! We have never played a sport with so few kids on a team. Even crazier, only 3 kids on the team play at a time. This is 3 on 3 soccer. The goals are about the size of a laundry basket and the field length is very small, which is nice because they don't get worn down quite as much as the big kids. They also aren't allowed a goalie and they don't keep score... that's not to say that Charlotte hasn't jumped in front of the goal and tried to act as goalie on many occasions. She is having a wonderful time and looks forward to all of her games. I have been so proud to see her jump right in to the action. She has scored a couple of goals so far and is very proud of that fact. Though the teams are totally randomized, she did luck out and get to be on a team with her friend Lexi and it has been so much fun!
The rules for Ian's league are a little different. They do play full field. They do have a goalie, and they do keep score. Ian's coach is a senior girl from Blackfoot High School. She is coaching this team as her senior project and because she needs the hours and wants to do a good job, these kids practice A LOT. As far as I can tell, they practice more than any other team. And it is paying off. Ian has learned so much about soccer and has improved leaps and bounds to catch up with the kids who have been playing for years. This kid is extremely aggressive and has already scored two goals this year. He has played about every position on the field including goalie. And every time I ask him if he is enjoying the sport, he always replies with an enthusiastic, "Yeah, it's awesome!"
Ian the awesome goalie:
I am starting to learn to understand and appreciate this sport. I just wish it didn't have to be played in 90 degree weather!
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