My Soccer Player

Caleb played soccer this Spring on a team made up from a bunch of kids in our neighborhood. They played about seven games. About the fourth and especially fifth game Caleb wouldn't even play. I wasn't at his fifth game but Mark told me he only played for about five minutes and then wouldn't play anymore. He just wanted to sit on the grass and watch. It was a little crazy because Caleb loves sports and we thought he would love to play. Before Caleb was going to bed that night I talked to him about what happened at his game that day and why he wouldn't play. He told me what was going on. He was sad that he couldn't make a goal. (He had never made a goal in a game yet and didn't kick the ball that much either.) I told him that I was sorry he was sad about not making a goal and told him I would help him be able to make a goal. I told him I knew he could.

They had games on Saturdays and practices on Tuesdays. I took him to his practice that next Tuesday. I noticed Caleb didn't really take any initiative to get in there and really learn how to play, so I told him to go stand in the middle where the ball was going to be passed so he could learn. After the practice I asked the coach if we could borrow his goal and then I practiced with Caleb. It will be something I will always remember and cherish - that day practicing with my little boy teaching him how to be a good soccer player - in the rain. I ran a whole bunch of drills with him until it was raining so much we decided to go in. We had so much fun playing that day.

Saturday came and I took Caleb to his soccer game and reminded him about the things we had practiced. I just had a big hope in my heart that he would feel like he did well and he would feel good about his performance. The game started great. He was really staying with the ball and playing well. He kicked a great corner kick right to his team mate by the goal and they made a goal from it. A few minutes later he made his first goal! I was so excited for him. He was beaming. He made 3 goals that game and most of all he felt so good. Mark wasn't at his game that day and was so surprised and happy for Caleb when he told him about his game. His last game he did really well too. He played excellent defense and scored another goal. Here's my soccer player!

Ra Ra Sharks! Victory!!

I took Caleb to a ReAl soccer game a few weeks later. He thought it was awesome when they kicked the ball really high and he liked watching the Lion (the mascot).