While most of you were out chasing trophies this weekend, we arranged a neighborhood pick up game (is it an oxymoron to arrange a pick up game?).
We had a field reserved and our scrimmage fell through. I sent out an email to everyone I know with a girl going into 6th grade this fall that plays soccer.
We had 25 girls show up from about 7 different teams (5 different clubs).
I split up teams, gave them a few simple rules and rolled a ball out. Nobody wanted to play in goal, so the rule was that you couldn't shoot from outside the 18. And don't be super physical. No injuries please. Other than that, they picked their own positions and just played for an hour.
I've never seen so many smiling kids on a soccer field before. Lots of giggling. A bit of sloppy soccer, but very fun. No crazy parents. No coaches with accents freaking out on 11 year old girls.
I don't think many of them have ever had a soccer ball at their feet without someone coaching them. Between team practices, private trainings, games... Maybe at recess they may have some time for free play.
Find a field, grab some kids and let them play until the streetlights come on.
We had a field reserved and our scrimmage fell through. I sent out an email to everyone I know with a girl going into 6th grade this fall that plays soccer.
We had 25 girls show up from about 7 different teams (5 different clubs).
I split up teams, gave them a few simple rules and rolled a ball out. Nobody wanted to play in goal, so the rule was that you couldn't shoot from outside the 18. And don't be super physical. No injuries please. Other than that, they picked their own positions and just played for an hour.
I've never seen so many smiling kids on a soccer field before. Lots of giggling. A bit of sloppy soccer, but very fun. No crazy parents. No coaches with accents freaking out on 11 year old girls.
I don't think many of them have ever had a soccer ball at their feet without someone coaching them. Between team practices, private trainings, games... Maybe at recess they may have some time for free play.
Find a field, grab some kids and let them play until the streetlights come on.