The post in which I admit I was wrong 



D had soccer practice this afternoon. The nice, gentle "everyone is doing a great job" coach wasn't there. Only the "we need to take this team up a level," type-A, super-competitive coach was there. I was worried. D. isn't very type-A and she isn't very competitive. And she is easily intimidated.

She had a game on Sunday and didn't touch the ball once. She kept waiting for someone to pass it to her. She is on a team of 6 year old boys - As a rule, 6 year old boys don't pass. They take the ball and run and score as soon as humanly possible. She was too scared to run into the action. She stayed near the ball, but never made the leap to actually kick it.

This afternoon, the competitive coach worked with her one-on-one for most of the practice. He was tough, sure. He yelled. He didn't put up with anyone who didn't listen to him. He worked those kids hard.

But he was good. Damn good. He and D. ran up and down the field, passing the ball to each other. He wouldn't let any of the boys score a goal. He put them all on defense, while he and my shy daughter ran the ball up and down the field, passing it to each other. She didn't burst into tears. She didn't get shy. She played her little heart out.

The look on her face after practice - it was (with apologizes to Mastercard)....priceless. "I did it Mama! I really did it! I kicked the ball in a game!" (so, it was just a practice, who's counting?)

The coach came up to her after practice and told her that this afternoon her ball handling skills were as good, if not better, than anyone else on the team - and that they'd just have to work together to make her less timid during the games.

I guess there is a time for "everyone is doing a great job" coaching and there is also a time for "we need to kick it up a level" coaching.

And there is a time for me to admit that perhaps my daughter can handle tough coaches, tough situations and tough games. Without an overprotective mother worrying about her every reaction and disappointment. Something tells me that I'm going to learn as much from this soccer team as she is.
 

Posted: Wed - April 27, 2005 at 09:40 PM          

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