SoHum Parlance

I concluded my first season of kids' soccer coaching today. My kids went undefeated all season, but we're not supposed to make a big deal of that. It was a fun, wet, muddy game for the kids. My son kicked two goals, but we're not supposed to make a big deal of that.

At the end of the game we met back at my house for a big team breakfast and trophies. The kids were really proud of themselves, and they were right to be. Not only did they win all their games (we're not supposed to make a big deal of that - fortunately none of the kids are likely to read this blog, even if they can read it), but they showed exceptional sportsmanship in every game, not counting a few meltdowns natural for children 4 to 6. They would compliment players on the other team who made goals (yes, I asked them to do that, but it came naturally to them). And by the end of the season, they weren't playing "bunch ball." They were passing! Like, real passes. The stronger players passed to the others. And everybody hustled back to the goal to defend whenever someone on the opposite team broke it open - every Blue Shark on the field.

My son goes up into the next age bracket next year. The field and the goals are a little bigger, they have a goalie, and a couple of additional players on the field. Not sure I have the experience to coach that level, but in two years my daughter starts playing and maybe I'll coach her team.

Meanwhile, the coaches had a special dinner in our honor at the Moose Lodge in Cutten tonight. My wife and I were the only Sohum representatives, but we had a lot of fun. The Lodge has an open flame outdoor (semi-indoor) grill where we brought our own steaks and I witnessed an amusing debate about how long it takes for medium rare which evolved into a debate about what actually constitutes medium rare. Lots of coaches were huddled in this smokey plexi-glass room while it rained outside. I enjoyed what it apparently the Moose Lodge ritual as much as the meal itself.

And my wife won a sweatshirt in the raffle.

A nice ending to a fun season. I have great respect for the people who put the soccer league together. You actually have to sign a contract in which you agree that you're only going to make positive comments to the kids at a game, which addresses problems I've witnessed in other youth sports venues, including some bad experiences in little league back when they actually sold beer at the concessions booth.

Did I mention that my kids went undefeated? We're not supposed to make a big deal about that.

Image comes from CYSA's local site. (note - it's not supposed to be that blurry, but it's the best I can do. If you click on it, it shrinks to the right size. Sometimes it spins and sometimes it doesn't. Don't ask me why.)