With the start of the new school years also comes the start of extracurriculars. Thaliea will be starting a new dance studio (she's already been cast as a flower in the Snow White ballet) soon. Scouts is starting a little later than usual but we'll be getting going soon enough with all 3 kids in the pack. The big one for me though is the start of Ezra's soccer season. If my math is right, this will be my 11th season coaching Ezra's soccer team and our 8th season as the Black Widows.
As soon as I had Ezra, I knew that I wanted to be really involved in his extra curriculars, whatever those may be. I lucked out that he loves sports like I do; the wrench in the plan was that I wasn't anticipating soccer being his sport of choice. I never played soccer growing up, so it was a new adventure for me.
In the early years, coaching was easy. All you have to do is make sure the kids aren't using their hands, are kicking the ball and not their friends, and know which goal is the right goal. There weren't even formal practices during the week. It was a lot of fun all around. Usually, the Y puts a bunch of random kids together so it's a new team each season. In 2022, Ezra decided that he wanted to ask a bunch of his friends to play with him and the Black Widows were born. We've been together ever since.
For the past few years, I've felt a lot like Marge Simpson giving piano lessons: she doesn't know how to play the piano, but she's just trying to stay one page ahead of the kids. =0). I've spent many an hour watching YouTube videos trying to figure out what drills to run during practice to build the kids in their skill as well as understanding of the game. I'd like to think that the team has gotten better under my coaching. What I lack in skill and soccer knowledge, I try to make up for in positive attitude and encouragement.
Honestly, last year was a bit of an up and down year. During the Fall season, we went undefeated in the 3/4 division so we decided to make the jump to the 5/6 division. During the Spring Season, as a team of 3rd and 4th graders playing against 5th and 6th graders, we had another undefeated season, which was lots of fun. But, we also tried our hand at entering a club tournament and got absolutely crushed, showing us how much more we had to grow. We had our first in-practice fight and had one kid leave the team because of trash talk gone too far. It was the first season where I wondered if it was a good idea to keep the team together.
In the early years, coaching was easy. All you have to do is make sure the kids aren't using their hands, are kicking the ball and not their friends, and know which goal is the right goal. There weren't even formal practices during the week. It was a lot of fun all around. Usually, the Y puts a bunch of random kids together so it's a new team each season. In 2022, Ezra decided that he wanted to ask a bunch of his friends to play with him and the Black Widows were born. We've been together ever since.
For the past few years, I've felt a lot like Marge Simpson giving piano lessons: she doesn't know how to play the piano, but she's just trying to stay one page ahead of the kids. =0). I've spent many an hour watching YouTube videos trying to figure out what drills to run during practice to build the kids in their skill as well as understanding of the game. I'd like to think that the team has gotten better under my coaching. What I lack in skill and soccer knowledge, I try to make up for in positive attitude and encouragement.
Honestly, last year was a bit of an up and down year. During the Fall season, we went undefeated in the 3/4 division so we decided to make the jump to the 5/6 division. During the Spring Season, as a team of 3rd and 4th graders playing against 5th and 6th graders, we had another undefeated season, which was lots of fun. But, we also tried our hand at entering a club tournament and got absolutely crushed, showing us how much more we had to grow. We had our first in-practice fight and had one kid leave the team because of trash talk gone too far. It was the first season where I wondered if it was a good idea to keep the team together.
We'll see how much longer the Black Widows go. YMCA soccer goes through the 8th grade, so, in theory, we could go until then. Ezra has already told me that he wants me to keep being his coach (which is encouraging to hear). But, with this being the last year of elementary school, next year everyone may be headed out to different middle schools. Maybe that will mean they want to stick together. Maybe it'll mean it's the end of an era.
Either way, I'm trying to enjoy this season. If the Black Widows continue beyond this year, I'll be happy to keep coaching. It it's the end of me coaching Ezra, I'll start coaching Jonah and we'll start the cycle all over again. For now, I'm just thankful that I've been able to invest in these kids over the years. Hopefully, it's been as much of a blessing to them as they've been to me.
#GoBlackWidows
Have an excellent day!
~Adam
Either way, I'm trying to enjoy this season. If the Black Widows continue beyond this year, I'll be happy to keep coaching. It it's the end of me coaching Ezra, I'll start coaching Jonah and we'll start the cycle all over again. For now, I'm just thankful that I've been able to invest in these kids over the years. Hopefully, it's been as much of a blessing to them as they've been to me.
#GoBlackWidows
Have an excellent day!
~Adam
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