Fervor

Last nights soccer game was long. The game progressed nicely but it was like watching a game on television without any commentary. This week is "Shhhhhhhhhhhhh The Kids are Playing" week for all house league games. A neat concept that encourages players to make their own decisions and improve communication between the players.

The Club asks that all coaches and parents defer from cheering and instructing from the sides. The ref could ask those who do refuse to remain quiet to leave the field. Some poeple brought possitive signs and it was suggested that people bring lollipops to keep their mouths occupied.

The first twenty minutes of the game was played in complete silence. Most of the players themselves didn't speak. It was probably no different than a usual game to the players who just don't usually communicate with the other players on the field but that soon changed and you could close your eyes and listen to the game through the mouthes of the players. They called each play and passing actually increased. The best part of the game was the shivers that I got when one of our players got a breakaway. As he dribbled the ball down the field towards the net the clapping grew in volume and intensity. Ultimately he stumbbled over the ball and fell but clapping sounded so encouraging.

C made it home early enough to watch E play. We are normally very quiet when we watch anyways. C is affraid of coaching too much and, well I grew up with a Dad who was known as being loud at sporting events and although I seem to be like him in so many ways, we are polar opposites in this area.

The second half E played in nets. E is not a goalie. When asked if he would play the possition at half he tried everything he could to get out of it including hiding, scrouched down behind one of the coaches. He finally agreed to do it, they were after all 2 up on the other team, but unfortunately there wasn't enough time for C to warm him up in nets before the start of the second half (an idea that E seemed comforted by when he took the gloves and jersey). Instead we had to sit on the sidelines and bite our tongues when he played out of possition or yapped about the "impossible" goal that he let in. Overall he made one great save and the defenders did a good job of keeping the ball up field.

The final score was 4 :1.