High-stakes soccer

I know that’s not what you were expecting to read in this space this month. Nor did I plan on writing about it. Until recently, when I saw what was on the line. My daughter, Gracie, is playing in a local 6-7-year-old girl’s soccer league. Silly me, I thought this was all about recreation, fun, and introducing the girls to soccer. Little did I know that the real reason this league exists is so that some coaches can use these children as pawns to achieve the personal satisfaction of victory. These games are supposed to be played 5-on-5 with a very loose interpretation of the rules of the game. Usually, some 12-year-old boy is the official. Innocent, until the coaches who really want to win get involved.

One sure-fire way to shut down the other team is to leave one player back to play ‘defense’. You would probably recognize this person as a ‘goal-tender’. “Just lay back here, dear, and as soon as the ball comes your way, just stop it or kick it out of bounds” is the clear message. If you’ve never seen a 6/7 girls soccer game before, this is tantamount to having Bill Russell defend the goal against five Spud Webb’s. It really helps your team win if the other team cannot get a shot on goal.

And that’s the part I don’t get. I thought it was all about running around and having fun kicking the ball in the goal. Most will have the thrill of scoring, and that makes the post-game snack go down a little easier. Unless you are playing in our league. Once one coach started using a goalie, guess what? They all started holding one player back, so on each occasion, it was 4 offensive players against 5 defensive players. Oh what joy! In the chaos, occasionally a goal was scored. What other edge can we create?

Oh yes, how about this one. “Look, darlin, if the ball comes to you at their end of the field, just kick it out of bounds.” That’s good skill development. Just kick it out to take the heat off, right coach? Here’s another good one: while the other team is trying to substitute, hurry up your throw-in and maybe you can catch them unorganized! What a concept! I’m sure no one has ever thought of that one before in youth soccer. And, yes, about that all important throw-in. Let’s have our strongest thrower put in in play and throw it as hard as you can toward the goal! It might go in! From out of bounds! And we can count it as a goal! What great coaching! I think I’m losing my mind.

For these and many other reasons, yours truly is teaming up with the folks at Suwanee. Together, we are going to change this win-at-all costs mentality. When your child comes through our doors, know that this type of behavior is not tolerated and deemed unacceptable. Do we foster competition? Absolutely! But it will be done in proper perspective. Our coaches and instructors here are professionals in every sense of the word, and the atmosphere that is created and sustained here will be one of development of the entire player, in mind, body, and spirit. Thank goodness the Hawks season has started! The soccer league just about wore me out!

Check out our website at www.ssasports.com