That’s what Beau said to me when I was trying to encourage him to speak to La Petite Belle’s new soccer coach about why he was playing her as goalie … again.
La Petite Belle has played soccer for 3 years and had to go into the draft because her team lost their coach. All the girls left over had to go into the draft.
La Petite Belle has NEVER played goalie.
NEVER.
And, Mr. Coach decides to test her non-existent goalie skills in the first scrimmage. It was pitiful. When touching the ball with your hands is never an option, it’s hard to make it part of your game.
Then, Mr. Coach played her again to start the second scrimmage as … you guessed it … goalie.
La Petite Belle is best at kicking.
KICKING.
(This is an old picture, but you get my drift … she can kick.)
She’s just like Sally O’Malley when it comes to kicking. For real.
She can kick, stretch, and kick!But, seriously, she has played defender, then, better yet, mid-fielder (with the occasional forward) for 3 years.
No, I don’t want to be “THAT” parent, as Beau said. You know the kind … the one that screams at their kid through the whole game, gets upset at their kid when they don’t perform their best, gets upset with the coach when their kid isn’t played enough, and is just a huge pain in the rear. And, ALWAYS, ALWAYS, loud and obnoxious.
So, I sat back and watched my little soccer star stand in the goal box with her arms folded.
Then, before the first quarter was even over, she got moved to forward, and played most of the game as forward or mid-fielder.
And, guess what?
She scored 2 goals.
Mama really does know what’s up, Mr. Coach. (even though I didn’t tell you how to do your job … despite the fact that I really wanted to)
Come to find out, La Petite Belle, as she was standing in that box, leaned over to the coach and expressed her disdain for the goalie position.
Well, lookey there. Like mother, like daughter.
I told her that I was glad that she spoke her mind.
awesome. and a great opportunity for her to learn to stand up for herself! sometimes we, parents, jump in just a little to earlier….it's hard not to!
Yay! Good for her! And good for you for holding off…looks like you raised yourself a daughter who can stand up for herself. Watch out, world.
Girl I know exactly what you mean. Hannah's team just got a new coach in July and he had all the parents in a tizy because he was moving the kids all around. Hannah usually plays center mid and he had her being a defender!! She was so bored back there. We all finally figured out that he was just trying to get a feel for where everybody should go. After a few practices, he put everyone back in their usual place…patience grasshopper!!
Good for her!
It's nice that you could stick the "THAT" parent card in your back pocket to use another time 🙂
Awesome!! What a much better way to handle the situation. She stood up for herdelf! It must have been hard for to watch her stand there in the goal. I can just imagine… I'd be going nuts! Glad it worked out in the end!
Good for your little girl and congrats on her two goals!
Hey, I'm going to host a blog carnival called 'Party in Pink' on Oct 7th. It's to support those we know and love who are battling with breast cancer. I'd love for you to participate. For details….
http://thedomesticfringe.wordpress.com/2009/09/16/party-in-pink-important-information/
Hope you'll join. It's open to all!
-FringeGirl
Good for her!
HAHA! That's right!!!
but having a strong kick is SUPER important if you are gonna be a keeper…granted, if you have a good team as a goalie you don't get a ton of action.
Having a versatile player (kid) is a great thing especially if she continues to play soccer and she trys-out for a team that is only looking for one or two positions available.
I am glad she spoke her mind with the coach, that is always better than mom doing it for her (or him)
I have found that Skibbie (motto: I didn't start it, but I will finish it) plays mostly defender, but sometimes mid, can stand up for herself quite well. She almost got thrown out of a game for talking back to the referee because he missed so many calls. Confession: I practically have to use duct-tape across my mouth at each game because I am "That" parent. I have a problem.