Game Time

1pm on Saturday was Dinomite Game Time. To say the least, 1pm is not a great time for most 3-year-olds. That is prime nap time. Morris had been talking about his first Dinomite soccer game for hours. When 1pm rolled around, Morris was dressed and ready (so we thought) for his first Dinomite game.

The Dinomite's are the pre-soccer team for the Etowah Youth Soccer Association (EYSA). How that works is 3, 4, and 5 year old's practice once a week. We are blue meaning that we practice on Tuesday. Different colors practice different days. On Saturday, all the colors come together and 5-on-5 teams are randomly formed to play games. The game is not some masterful game where there is a plan and everyone plays a certain spot on the field. The rules are simple: don't touch the ball with your hands, kick the ball with your feet, try to make contact with the ball, and shoot it in the goal.

At practice every child has a ball. When it's game time, there is one ball for 10 children. Not good, for our 3-year-old. I guess it's my own fault for not preparing Morris. I didn't realize that going from each child having a ball to one ball per team would mean "breakdown". Breakdown is a huge under statement.

For the first third of the game, Morris mostly pouted that soccer was a "team" sport. Pouting involved:

Laying down in the middle of the soccer field when we didn't get to the ball first.

Running to the sidelines for Jared to hold him because he was hot, tired, and wanted his own ball.

Looking to daddy for lots of encouraging: you can do it, get back in the game Morris, you love soccer.

Things started looking up for the second third of the game. Coach Bill never gave up on Morris. He praised Morris when he did things well. He continued to reaffirm Morris that he could get to the ball if he ran faster.

By the third and final part of the game. Morris was having fun and enjoyed the day. Yes, he was hot, tired, and needed a nap in the worst way, but I am glad we made Morris stick it out. All he continues to talk about is the great fun he had at his first Dinomite game.

I am not sure that Morris will be the next David Beckham. What I am sure of is that we will continue to play on Tuesday and Saturday and in the words of Coach Bill and Coach Candy, things can only get better from here!