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| Luke and his teammates are warming up for the game with their coach. Luke is in the centre of the photo in the grey hoodie. |
Luke is playing soccer this spring with the city club called Arsenal. His teacher Whitney mentioned that she thought he would enjoy it, so we signed him up. We did this in England and after the first practice it was clear that he wasn't ready for organised sport, so we were interested to compare his experience this time.
Our first practice was last week, but it was cancelled because the fields were covered in about three inches of snow. Such is spring soccer on the Front Range. Our second practice was on Thursday, and Luke showed that he's clearly ready for some play. These are the changes:
1. He was willing to wear a soccer shirt, which has a V-neck which he dislikes.
2. He didn't fuss at all about the shin guards or ridiculously long and tight soccer socks.
3. When we arrived at practice, he eagerly joined his team mates for some practice throwing the ball in.
4. He didn't spend most of his time at practice rolling around in the grass behind the goal.
I spoke with his coach, Justin, about Luke's extra needs, and he enthusiastically offered his support. Whitney has also offered to help him with learning the drills. The parents I met at practice were very friendly and accepting as well despite having children who can dribble like pros. Several of them have played three years together! The game will test their patience and sense of humor.
Game day couldn't have been nicer. The sun was up and actually warm by the time pre-game practice started at 08:10. I brought blankets, hats and gloves and boots for all, but they stayed in their bag and our jackets joined them. We need peeked caps and sunglasses! It was great. Again Luke willingly suited up and joined his teammates.
The game was four quarters and lasted about an hour. They break it into four quarters. It's six-on-six. There are 11 boys on Luke's team. Mom and Dad came to watch and so did Whitney. Timothy played water boy for Luke.
In the first quarter, Luke picked up the ball and ran with it. The crowd laughed good-naturedly, and Paul and I relaxed. He didn't pick up the ball again. His coach kept him in the game for three of the four quarters, so we feel like his inexperience with the game is within acceptable bounds and that he'll get to have a great season learning about soccer and sportsmanship.
When we play with him in the back yard, he does well handling the ball. What he doesn't know how to do do is play in the crowd, and at this age it really is just a crowd around the ball at all times.
