I would do anything for my daughter Ava. I’d play with Barbies. I’d go to prison. And now, apparently, I’m coaching an AYSO U6 (5-year-olds) soccer team. I’ve never played soccer. And I’ve never coached anything. This should be … fun.
We were a little bit late signing her up for soccer, but she really wants to play. AYSO is a volunteer organization, so parents need to take on a role to make the league go. I originally volunteered to referee — I’ve done that before and it’s kind of fun. You get a little bit of a workout in and I enjoy the responsibility.
But I received an email from the league commissioner, begging for somebody to volunteer to coach. There were enough girls for six teams, but there were only five coaches. Since Ava was a little late getting registered, I knew she was probably in jeopardy of not getting on a team. Plus, five teams is an odd number — that sounds like too many unscheduled off days or too many doubleheaders waiting to happen.
I asked my wife Tiffany what she thought, because I was concerned about Ava not being able to play. I was willing to do it if necessary, but only if necessary! She told me it was OK, as long as it was necessary. So, I emailed the commissioner.
I’ve never played or coached soccer. I’ve never coached anything, really, although I’ve played sports my whole life, so it’s not like it would be completely foreign. I don’t know the deadline for identifying a coach, but keep me on your list. If you get somebody else who is more qualified to do this, by all means take them. But if it comes down to you needing me to coach a team in order for a group of kids to be able to play, then I’ll absolutely do it and take the responsibility extremely seriously.
She got back to me:
Thank you so much for your offer to coach! I see that you have previously signed up to referee, and we are also in need of referees, so I’d like to keep you there, if possible. I have a couple of weeks to form the teams, so I will keep you in mind as a coach. If we do need you to coach, I will let you know before the July 23 coaching course at El Toro High School. Please let me know if you have any questions. Thank you for supporting our girls!
Uh-oh! I replied:
You were supposed to tell me you already found a coach and you don’t need me! Ha ha … whatever has to be done, I’m willing … anything for my daughter!
And then I waited for good news. She emailed me last week with good news.
I have some good news for you; we will be forming 6 teams for U6 Girls, and since you were kind enough to volunteer, you will be a head coach! Please don’t worry about your inexperience; free training is provided by our region and you will have an assistant coach to help you. The next local class is July 23 at El Toro High School from 9:00 to 12:30. This will include both Safe Haven and U6 coach training. To sign up, log in at eayso.org (where you registered as a volunteer), click on “enroll to take a class”, then find the course. You can narrow the search by selecting Section 11, Area L, Region 85. Please let me know if you have any questions. I am so glad you volunteered to coach, and I hope you have a great experience!
Wow. So, I have my seatbelt fastened. I’m ready. I can do this. I can handle a dozen 5-year-old girls. I’m ready for the Ladybugs. This reminds me of last year, in a way. I mean, there is an opportunity to help out, I ran it by my wife before making a decision, and then I locked in. And now, just like last year, all of a sudden, I’m thinking, “What did I get myself into?!?!?!?” The difference, of course, is that running 61 marathons scares me a whole lot less than coaching a soccer team!
So, for all of you, the good news is you’ll get to follow along through my adventures in coaching this fall. One of the players on the U.S. Women’s World Cup Team, Amy Rodriguez, is from my hometown and went through the same AYSO region I’ll be coaching in. I fully expect in about 15 years for one of the kids I coach to give her ol’ U6 coach credit. I just need to make it through this fall, first!
Tony Rezek says
Been there! I coached Evan’s soccer team for 4 seasons. Spent a lot of time on the internet trying to learn something about the sport. Be thankful your league provides some training. I was on my own!
Enjoy, you’ll have a blast!
Chris says
I’ve coached my kids’ soccer teams too and, at that age, it’s pretty simple: get everyone moving in the same direction (which is sometimes much more difficult than it should be). The kids basically know that the ultimate goal is to get the ball in the net….getting them all to kick it into the other team’s net is the hard part. Oh, and remembering all of their names.
This year, for the first time, I’m also coaching my son’s football team (6 and 7 year olds). Although I know MUCH more about football than I do about soccer, it’s still going to be much more of a challenge. In soccer, they basically just run around until the ball pops loose and then they chase it. In football, they have to know formations and plays and what their responsibility is in certain situations. Should be interesting…
Layla says
Not only did you become a coach, but you’re head coach? Hahaha! Sorr;, I shouldn’t laugh, but that’s just so funny. Your life is always an adventure!
But who’s to say it won’t be Ava herself going on to the U.S. Women’s World Cup? Go Team!
Ben says
Piece of cake. Ask me and I can give you a few drills to run. The idea is lay the foundation, repeat the basics, repeat the basics again, make them run… A LOT! You will learn to love it, want to run away from it…. and be sad when it is all over.
Bottom line, have fun. The US National team’s head coach is not scouting your team, so remind the parents of that fact.
running2bfit says
You are a good Dad 🙂
Tiffany Felsenfeld says
Hey, you said her teams’ called The Ladybugs? Does that mean chances are, her team color isn’t pink????
Funny blog!