Time for a Children’s Revolt

By Mike Woitalla (from Soccer America Magazine’s Youth Insider)

Some of the things I’ve heard adults yell at children at soccer games are just downright hilarious. Like the coach who yelled at a 6-year-old, “Give him a target on the flank!”

Oh, how I wish the kids would start shouting back. Go ahead and give an earful right back to the loudmouths on the sideline.

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AYSO Volunteers Discover The Magic Of Soccer Through Their Child’s Eyes

By Mike WoitallaI

It’s one of the greatest delights of parenthood. I don’t recall it mentioned in any of the guide books while preparing for fatherhood or that it came up in the words of encouragement from friends or family. It’s the magic of seeing the world through your child’s eyes.

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My Daughter, My Stadium Seat

Who would have thought it? My baby girl’s the answer to my sports addiction.

By Mike Woitalla

“Honey, you don’t mind if I go to the big game on Saturday with my pals, do you?”

“A football game? That’ll last all day, won’t it?”

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Killer Coach

I was a sweet sensitive dad… until little league brought out my demons!

By Harry Maurer

So it’s the bottom of the sixth, last inning of this Little League game, one out, and my son Luke is up with men on first and third. Tie score, 10-10. I’m not an official coach, but I’ve wangled my way into coaching first base so I can be more involved. Right now I’m wishing I were less involved. I’m so nervous I could scream. The pitching machine spits a ball at Luke, who takes a mighty cut and misses. I wince. “Good swing!” I shout, more to console myself than Luke. Another pitch, another strike. But on the next one, Luke grounds the ball smartly towards the third baseman. And despite the fact that the likelihood of an 8-year-old infielder making the throw to first (or home) is approximately that of my hitting Randy Johnson’s fastball, I’m suddenly shouting at Luke as if his life depended on it, “Run! Run! Don’t look at the ball! Just run like hell!”

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Soccer Primer

Our heads-up guide to what the Under-Six crowd is doing
every Saturday morning. You should at least know the rules, coach.

By Buzz McClain

Little Vinnie stood there with his jersey over his head. I’m not sure what he was up to, but the other team was coming in his direction with the soccer ball, and he was the last defender between them and the goal.

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