Through the Coach's Eyes

Waddling in with radiant smiles, they enter through the double doors. Anxiously shrugging off their jackets, they run onto the gymnasium floor like the boomers and sooners of the land rush staking claim over a soccer ball. Inevitably, two will converge at the same soccer ball and it is usually the more vocal who wins the claim. Little do parents realize how much size and color matter. Few, if any, of these future stars know that soccer is an Olympic sport or that there is a Major League of Soccer. For them, warm-up is not about visions; it is about fun.


With giant-size hearts, they command the ball across the turf donning shin guards, long socks and cleats. It is them versus the ball. The thought of avoiding a collision with another never crosses their mind. They, unlike pre-teens experienced with a sense of awareness and avoidance moves, are lil’ kickers just earning their bumpers. Collisions, as heartbreaking as they are precious to observe, are a bit of a phenomenon to watch. After impact, there is calm like the noticeable lag when using Internet dial-up if you are use to DSL that overcomes the crash area. As their little minds process the damage, I walk up, pick them off the turf and brush them off as tears well up. The more they fight them, the harder they are to hold back. Only one medicine cures the scare and pain they are feeling, it is the warmth and security of Momma’s open arms. Fortunately, these low impact occurrences ever amount to more then a bruise or a scrape. As is often the case, they rejoin the group and resume where they left off.


As we stretch, I notice a boy holding his fist up to another next to him. Slowly, he extends his middle finger and smiles. I am shocked speechless and find myself curiously awaiting the other boy’s reaction. He smiles. Fearing what parents would think of my inaction, I recollect myself. As I lean in, I suddenly find myself smiling with them. What I had not recognized originally was the Sponge Bob band-aid on the finger of the first boy. He was displaying it the way only a five year old could. “Is that a Sponge Bob band-aid?” I asked cheerfully. Appreciative I had notice, he nodded yes. We quickly moved on to more exciting things to occupy his mind.


When you begin seeing things through the minds eye of a child, it is amazing how much you learn and appreciate them for their innocent ways. Sociologists say you become part of the environment you are around. At every practice, I am given license to become age five again, and it is a refreshing stress reliever. I would hate to think of a life absent of fun, but I know in our complicated world, it happens. If your life lacks fun and excitement, look no further than kids. They hold classes in fun every day of the week. Let go of adult life complexities and experience the unrestricted fun of a kid’s world. If you have reservations, no problem, the teacher arrives when the student is ready.

See you in class!



Copyright © 2007 by Bradley J. Kayden. All Rights Reserved.