What Was I Thinking?

Back in the day, I considered myself to be quite the athlete.  When I was younger, sports were my life.  I played everything from soccer to basketball and baseball to tennis.  I was actually pretty good too, but I was the big fish in the tiny pond.  Now, I am a little older and a little heavier, but I still cling to my “glory days”.  More often than not, I end up winded, limping off the court at the end of an E league adult basketball game, refusing to accept the fact that I am old and out of shape. 

Needless to say, I was pretty excited when Tyler wanted to sign up for U6 soccer – his first team sport.  The team needed a coach.  Thanks to unemployment, my calendar was wide open, so I signed up.  On more than one occasion before the season started, it crossed my mind that I was unable to get my own child to listen to me.  How in the world did I think I would be able to get 10 of them to listen to me?  What was I thinking?

As our first practice approached, I found myself suddenly terrified.  What had I gotten myself into? What if the kids didn’t like me?  What if the parents think I am a fraud?  What if I can’t get anyone to listen to me?  What if we lose every game?  What if, what if, what if.  I was so worked up, I even contemplated making up some excuse to back out at the last minute.

For our first practice, I had the entire 60 minutes planned out down to the second.  Clipboard in hand, I thought I was ready for anything.  I had received some advice that boiled down to – if something isn’t working and you’re losing them, move on!  After about four minutes, I had exhausted my entire 60 minute practice plan and I had 10 five year olds staring at me.  Well, not exactly staring.  Some were laying down, some were doing cartwheels and a few were chasing a butterfly.  I checked my watch.  55 more minutes.  I was failing. 

At that critical moment, when all I wanted to do was crawl under a rock and hide, I decided to just play.  I threw my practice plan away and we just kicked the ball around and had fun.  Afterwards, I was sure that the parents would call my bluff and be disappointed, but no one seemed to notice.  To this day, I still worry about what the parents think, but so far everyone seems happy and the kids are getting pretty good at soccer!  Of course there have been some challenges and I have had to say things that I never dreamed including:

 - “Awesome somersault!  Now what do you say we pay attention to the game?”

 - “Did you just put that piece of gum you found on the ground in your mouth?”

 - “I’m sorry.  I don’t know where unicorns come from.”

 - “Hey big guy, you want to get your head out of the net?”

 

It pains me to think of all of the opportunities that I have missed out on because I got caught up in my “what if I fail” scenarios.  Thanks to my Cobras, I have had more fun coaching soccer than I ever thought possible.  Sadly, our first season is drawing to a close and I am really going to miss playing soccer with my 10 little buddies  There is nothing quite like being around kids to remind you how fun life can be.  When they play, they play 100% and they have taught me the importance of letting go and enjoying the moment.

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