My DS is 7 yrs old and this is his first year playing soccer, the coach will yell things at him on what to do and my poor DS just stands there and trying to figure out what he is talking about. Yesterday was only his 2nd game and he did so much better about trying to get the ball. But when people were telling him "DOWN THE LINE" he just had the deer in the headlights look. It was so cute I feel sorry for him though because I know he wants to be as good as everyone else.

All he talks about is soccer and he wants his dad to take him and play every day after school. His dad is of course excited that he is playing because he played when he was in school and loved it. He is trying to teach my son as much as possible. DS looked at me and told me it has always been a dream of his to play soccer as a kid. He is so funny sometimes.

In our area kids begin to play the year they start kindergarten. All 3 of our started then and played (boys) until 9th. grade and switched to football. Our daughter payed through high school and had a partial scholarship to college and lettered in college. She is now a teacher and soccer coach for high school. Since America is not a coccer crazy country you don't see it on tv like fb, baseg, and bb. I don't think the kids know that much about the game. Being a teacher I would have class sessions first to "Teach" the game, but my kids would think I was insane. I think a kids game resembles a swarm of bees chasing the ball... Maybe you or you husband could take him to the fields at a time when they are not being used and go over some of the basics and asked him to then repeat to you what the things are so that you are sure he understand everything.

So funny that you posted this! My ds had his 1st soccer game on Saturday-- he is 6 (he'll be 7 in August). It was like watching "The Bad News Bears"-- very funny. But SOME kids were really good!!!

Holly

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Forgiveness is love in its most noble form. -Anonymous

My little guy is like that too. I think he cannot hear or does not understand what everyone is yelling and gets confused. I hope he catches on soon.

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"Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So... get on your way."
Theodor Seuss Geisel (Dr. Seuss)

when mine played, we called it 'herd ball' because they would all (on both teams) just chase the ball all together - forget anything the coaches would tell them about positions.

We used to have such good laughs - they do get the concept after a while.

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Bevogal

LOL my kids played herd ball too! Now watching the video, it's a riot. When they were tiny, the coaches could be on the field with them. It didn't help. haha My girls were worse than the boys because some of their teammates would scream if the ball came near them. Try as I might, we just could not help but laugh. I know, bad mommy.

LOL!!!! herd ball,that is normal.
I grew up with a soccer ball at my feet.my 2 brothers were soccer players.my yongest brother was even in a league.
in France ,the national pass time is soccer.we breath,drink and dream soccer.
my 2 older kids played soccer 1 year each,and it was pityfull.....but so funny.dd ducking when the ball was getting next to her.my ds would just stay right at his post ,and not move:caus ethe coach told me not to move.....
but my little 5 year old dd is a natural with a soccer ball.so there is hope,she will start next year...

Here the kids start in pre-K at 4 years old. We call it "swarm ball". My girls are 10 & 13, still play and absolutely love it.

Lisa

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"It's not having what you want,
It's wanting what you've got"

To answer your question...yes! They do look dazed! We actually miss those days. DH and I were talking the other day at their games (DD is 13 and DS is 11) about how cute they are when they are just starting out playing. Our kids used to twirl around, pick at the grass, look up at the sky...anything but play the actual game! ~Lisa

Yep - and don't forget the cartwheels on the field! I used to hate those games - they were so boring, but you had to cheer and act like you loved it! Now I actually do love it!

Lisa

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"It's not having what you want,
It's wanting what you've got"

Nost of them do! I remember when my son was in soccer in first grade. The coachs son was on the team. The kids would get mixed up about things and once the coach ran over to his son and took his face in his hands and pointed to the direction the ball was supposed to be going!! lol It was hilarious! (He did it in a nice way!)

YES!!! My ds started 'playing' soccer and baseball when he was 3 1/2, It was priceless. Most of the time they didn't even stay on the soccer field - they'd kick the ball and keep running from field to field - through other games and everything! They were so cute - and had so much fun.


Around here, if I kid hasn't started the sport by about 5 yrs old - they are so left behind (not saying it's right, just saying that's the way it is). For instance, my ds is now in 7/8 yr old baseball. If this was his first year to EVER play organaized baseball - it would be too overwhelming for him. Of course, here I think these people take their sports a little (okay, a lot) too seriously. I mean - stats are kept on each child starting with 5 yr old baseball. And there are post season t-ball (5 yr old) All Star teams that spend hundreds of dollars and travel all over the state playing in tournaments.

Enjoy it now - it gets serious much too soon in my opinion.

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Mom to 3 - one with 2 legs and 2with 4!

My oldest is 6 (will be 7 in a month) and his soccer team is really good. It is made up for kindergartners and first graders, so kids who are ages 5, 6 or 7. Most of these kids must have played before (DS has been playing since he was 3), because it is like watching a real soccer game with passing the ball, etc. It's a lot of fun to watch.

Now my youngest is 3 (will be 4 in two weeks) and it is like watching bees swarm around the ball -- that and 1/2 the team is picking grass, or holding hands <lol>. My DS is the youngest on the team -- most of the kids are already 4 or 5 and some have played before. However, for the most part it is often 'deer in the headlights' for 45 minutes, which IMHO, is too long of a game for the little ones.

Sarah......mom to Jason & Devin