Soccer 101

We're back in the land of toddler-friendly furnishings. Ahhh.  We had a great time visiting with my sister and niece. And the soccer game that was the catalyst for the trip? Well, I learned a thing or two by attending...

For one thing, I learned that a soccer game has halves, rather than quarters or periods. We weren't athletes in my family; my sisters and I were the last ones picked to be on teams in gym class. You know -- the kind you laughed at if you had any athletic skill. Coordination and athleticism weren't our strong suits. No, we were semi-nerdy and musical. Go ahead and make your band camp jokes!! I don't think any of us ever went to a band camp, but we played for plenty of events and competitions. Anyway, this weekend I learned that a soccer games has halves.

Even though my sister doesn't have a sports-minded bone in her body, she's at all of her daughter's games and events. She even assists with keeping score at the JV soccer games this year. When my son and I arrived just after the game had started, we settled in next to my sister at the score-keeper's table (as seen in photo at left).  He in his jumbo all-terrain stroller, and me in my collapsible soccer aunt chair. We were probably seated for 3 minutes when the assistant score-keeper had to sound a deafening horn for something that had happened on the field. My son jumped in his stroller, and a look of terror came over his face - wide eyes, pouty lip, whimpers, and then cries and grabs for Mommy. We spent the rest of our visit to the game with his arms latched tightly around my neck. Each time a whistle sounded or someone cheered, he held on tighter.  After moving us away from the table with the nasty horn, I thought that a little something to eat might distract him from the upset that was the soccer game. His mood seemed to improve as he had some milk and a snack, but before long, he was back on my shoulder, sobbing and holding on tight.

Each time after that when she had to sound the horn, my assistant-score-keeper-sister turned to me to aplogize. She was trying to sound it quietly, rather than give it a full-fledged squeeze. Very considerate of her, but the little guy was already out of whack. My second lesson of the day was that those nasty sporting event horns and toddlers (well, at least mine) don't go well together.

I decided to call it a day when the little guy got so upset that he threw up all over me. We left at half-time -- if that's what it's called in soccer. I have no idea how anyone played, and I never got to see my niece play, as she's not one of their starters.

I'm still glad I went. Though I think the people sitting near me were probably relieved when I left with my sobbing, puking child.

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Were you ever one of the last ones picked for teams in gym class? or were you a good athlete?

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A favorite bumper sticker:  Be Nice To Nerds -- Chances Are You'll End Up Working For One

Comments

[MommaK]

I was a pretty good athlete but not the best. I could hold my own but I was never the first one picked.

I love that bumper sticker too:)

[Caltechgirl]

Heh. Would you be surprised if I told you I HAVE that bumper sticker (it used to hang in my office)

[Marie]

No I'm not surprised, CTG! We have it too -- proudly propped up on a bookcase in our dining room! ;-)

[nat]

I tried MANY sports, but sucked at most of them. No worries...my grades made up for it! ;)

[InterstellarLass]

Poor thing! I was on the swim team and was a fairly good athlete. I think I was picked kind of middle-of-the-pack.

[shish]

Not picked last, but definitely not picked first either. I was an activities girl-newspaper, English club, Amnesty International. Also, I have the same reaction to soccer as Kevin, minus the throwing up part. I just don't "get" soccer.

[Melody]

Loved the colour of the trees in your photos Marie. How beautiful.

I was usually picked out of the last few standing for sports. I was never much of an athlete, but put me in a classroom with group activities and everyone wanted me!

[Bou]

I'm a better athlete as an adult. I only do individual sports... karate, running, cycling. Team sports... I suck. I was always the last one picked.

[Sarcasmom]

I still shudder when I think of gym class. I was not at all sports minded. I was the only child of older than traditional parents. My mom said that girls didn't play sports but now I think she was just ttoo tired to put up with all the practices and running around,

[Marie]

Glad it's not just me!

My only horrible memories of school involve gym class. Oh well, at least I had a brain & personality!

[Holly]

Nope Marie, it is not just you at all!

I always dreaded the "picking of the teams" at school, because alas, I was ALWAYS one of the last picked.

And honestly, I don't know if I had any real athletic skill or not, I was just so darned shy and sports wasn't encouraged by my non-sporty parents. They encouraged science and music, and thus destined me to become a nerd, at least up until High school, when I found other niches.

[chase]

Not to scare you but that horn probably not only scared him b ut could have caused temporary damage to his eardrums. A loud scream can cause damage to a childs eardrums.

I carry the soft earplugs in my glove compartment...we go shooting, and to events, so just in case, i have them in the car.

I wasn't great at sports, not that I couldnt do them, just i would rather be reading. lol