It feels like ages ago when we started Soccer Tots with Maile. As of Saturday, we are back – this time with Lauren!
The first time through, Daddy was very excited about the prospect of playing soccer with Maile Girl. In hindsight, I might have overdone it a bit – Maile basically “retired” from soccer last year. Possible she picks it up again, but for now she is focusing on many other activities.
But with Lauren, we get to try again. We’re starting her a little bit older. Maile was only 2 when she started, Lauren is fast approaching three. We’ll see how it goes – I would say that day #1 was a success. We had fun running around and playing the games, she got a little shy when it was her turn to introduce herself. And getting mud on her hands was a drag. But on the plus side, she mentioned “playing soccer with Daddy” several times throughout the rest of the day – so we have a start!
Daddy and Lauren ready to rock some soccer!
Initial form is looking good...
A true soccer pose!
Giggly good times...
Maile came down to lend some of her expertise...
Done for the day, but we'll be back...
by Papa K on September 28, 2014
Soccer season is upon us and once again I’m coaching Maile’s soccer team, the U6 PKS Pandas. We had our second game this past Saturday. I’ve been really impressed with the difference in Maile and all the kids since last spring. The level of play has really increased – a lot more coordination, some sustained back-and-forths and much less of a situation where one really good player dominates the whole game (although there certainly are some kids that are clearly ahead of the pack).
Maile scored her first goal of the season on Saturday. It’s hard for me to take pictures since I’m on the field coaching, but I took this video before everyone arrived that gives a good feel for how much Maile has improved…
(Click here for the video.)
This Saturday we finished Maile’s second season of soccer with the PKS Pandas in the San Francisco Vikings league. Once again I helped out with coaching and had a lot of fun. Happy to report that Maile (and the rest of the team) definitely saw big improvements since last fall (and also since the start of the season). Less “picking daisies” and much more focused overall on the game – more coordination around dribbling and kicking. All in all, a good season.
Coach Matt, Maile and the rest of the PKS Pandas!
Christine took the camera down to our soccer game last weekend. She got some great shots of Maile Girl and the other kids in action…
First we all stretch out...
That is one happy soccer player...
Maile Girl on defense.
Taking a break (mid-game mind you) for some fun with our teammate.
Maile Girl had one great run where she went the length of the field and almost (so close!) scored!
by Papa K on September 23, 2013
Maile isn’t new to soccer – she started a couple years ago with Soccer Tots and plays at school as well. However, she was never a part of a soccer team until this year when she became eligible to join the Mixed Under 5s PKS Pandas (her school team)!
And Daddy has a new role too – Coach Matt (or Coach Daddy as we agreed Maile could call me). Yes, a life long goal of becoming a kids’ soccer coach has been realized. (In all seriousness, I’ve been very much looking forward to doing this with Maile … and Lauren too when she gets a bit older.)
Coach Daddy and Maile Girl ready to rock!
Our first practice and game went okay – but unfortunately the weather didn’t cooperate so it was pretty wet out there. The kids were champs for most of it – but definitely got a little tired and cold. And we need to work on learning which direction the goal is.
Here are a couple videos of what under 5 “soccer” looks like:
This one cracked me up – our team is the green team. Need to work on “engaging” the other team a bit 😉
(Click here for the first video.)
(Click here for the second video.)
Maile’s been in a demonstration mood this week – in this one she shows us “the pullback” and then some other soccer moves that I’m pretty sure she didn’t learn in class… but you be the judge…
(Click here for the video.)
The weather was amazing today, so after dinner, Maile and I headed outside to play some soccer in the courtyard. Mommy (as always) snapped some great photos…
Maile has been taking soccer class after school one day a week and is getting pretty good...
Boom!
She still uses her hands too much - hand ball!
Throw in...
Hey giggles, you are never going to get the ball if you are laughing that much!
Maile has definitely patented the laugh-so-hard-I'll-make-Daddy-laugh-too-and-then-I'll-take-the-ball move...
It only took a few days of being back in Boston for Maile Girl to get a stick in her hands. She thought she was playing “soccer” – but it’s a start…
Pretty good form for her first time holding a hockey stick - she didn't get this from Daddy!
With so much excitement due to the start of preschool, we didn’t have time to write about the last class of Maile’s first session of soccer. For the last couple of months, every Saturday, Maile and I have attended a SoccerTots soccer program. It was a lot of fun and Maile made a lot of progress since her first class back in June.
Let's do this!
Every session starts out with a stretching session - Maile always goes and stands on the purple dot.
After stretching, we practice our soccer skills - Daddy helps with balance, but Maile is getting pretty good at standing with one foot on the ball...
Rolling the ball back and forth is a little trickier, but Mommy helped Maile Girl out!
Then we do some drills - here Maile is kicking over the cones with the ball...
Not sure what this has to do with soccer, but it is a lot of fun!
About halfway through class, we take a goldfish break and talk a little strategy...
After our snack, Mommy and Maile sing some songs - it helps build team spirit...
We end class with a couple runs through the obstacle course - Maile rocks at the tunnel!
All in all, it was a fun couple of months and an activity that we are going to continue doing. Nice to start the weekend running around outside!
Maile Girl all decked out in her soccer gear!
Saturday was a day that I’ve been looking forward to ever since I found out I was going to be a daddy – Maile’s first soccer practice! I actually thought I was going to have to wait awhile longer, but some friends told us about SoccerTots – a soccer program here in the city for toddlers 18 months and older. Perfect!
As you know we had a rough week being a little sick, but Maile started shaking the bug on Thursday and by Saturday morning we were ready to rock. We had a lot of fun at our first practice (well, at least for 2/3rds of it – Maile started to lose interest towards the end). One of our neighbors asked us to let us know when Maile had a game, so they could come watch – I’m not so sure we’re quite at that stage yet 😉
And how do we know it was a good practice? I think this picture tells it all…
Nothing like a good nap after hard work at soccer practice...
(Click here for the video.)
