Youth Soccer fun

As my first season of running youth indoor soccer is winding down, I am really starting to miss the thought of it ending. My daughters have had a blast in this their first experience playing any type of soccer and my wife who is coaching both teams has enjoyed it immensely as well. The indoor version of soccer is much more enjoyable to the spectators because of how much closer to the game they are and the increased scoring. OK, well some of our K-1st games to resemble the 1-0 scores of soccer games we are use to seeing.

The fans have been very supportive of the players and overall I am happy with the leadership my coaches have imparted on the players on their team. It is so refreshing to see the kids sitting in a pre or post-game huddle actually listening to the coach talk about that days devotion.

And in our younger divisions it is becoming more common for teams to need an occasional player from another team to fill a spot if they happen to be short one or two players. The first few times, it seemed some of the kids were hesitant to step over into "foreign territory" even if just for one period. Now as the season has progressed, more and more little hands pop up when the coach says "Ok, who wants to go play for the red team for the next 8 minutes?"

A huge thanks goes to all the coaches and ministry coordinators who have made this a smooth season and one I will truly miss.

One Amazing Wife

I must share something with you that my wife will likely be upset about. But she shouldn't be. This past flag season, my wife along with her sister Kristee Ford, volunteered to coach two of our flag football teams in the church league. They were the two teams our daughters played on and I was so impressed at how well she did and the enthusiasm she had all season.

But hold on...this is where the amazing part comes in. She coached cheerleading back in '07 and then the above-mentioned flag football and NOW she is coaching indoor soccer which starts this Saturday. And before all this, she hadn't coached anything and I was the one with the many years of coaching experience! I am just so impressed how she has stepped out of her comfort zone and filled in where in most cases the dad usually would. I love seeing mom's come out there and coach and be an example to these kids that women belong on the sideline as much as men do. Way to go ladies!

Attached is a rare picture capturing the two of us on the sideline of a football game she was coaching. Funny thing is she's really getting on to me for the calls I was making!