Soccer

Tanner has been a little reluctant to play organized sports- even though he loves to play football and basketball and hockey and soccer and lacrosse and anything else that involves a ball- he has seemed a little timid about doing any Y sports. But several months ago he expressed an interest in doing their soccer intro class so we signed him up.

He has asked us multiple times each week for the last several months WHEN he will get to do soccer. Finally the week arrived. All week long this was ALL he could talk about: Will there be snack break? Will it be a real game? Will they practice? Will they have a coach? Will he get a t-shirt to wear? He told me yesterday on the way home from school that he wanted to be sure to wear good pants- ones that don't fall down- when we went to soccer today. And good unders, too, he said. He got his soccer ball out and practiced dribbling and shooting down the hallway last night. He talked incessantly about his soccer clothes: cleats and shin guards.

So, imagine our surprise when he burst into tears upon arrival at the field, ran into my arms and declared that he didn't want to play soccer! Poor guy was terrified. I don't know what he was expecting vs. what he saw there. I mean, he knows what a sporting event is like- lots of people, loud, etc... I coaxed him into going on the field with me so we participated in the

stretching and running together (luckily I wasn't the only parent there with a timid kid). But

once again, as soon as the drills started he burst into tears, ran off the field and said he wanted to go home. Brian and I were perplexed. The coaches were so nice, the other kids were having so much fun. What the heck was going on??? After a little break (and pep talk) we tried it again. I went with him to each of the drill stations and as we moved through them he eventually let go of my hand and I think I may have even seen a slight smile or two at one point. He says he wants to go back next week. Hopefully we can wean him from my joint participation and he can shine out on the field on his own!