The Soccer Coach

He stood on the sideline of the playing field, adjusting his shin guards and tugging at his jersey. Clearly, my seven-year-old grandson was nervous.

This was the first soccer game of the season.

On top of that, it was his first soccer game ever, and because of a holiday and a problem with communication, the team members had never practiced together. Suddenly a coach walked over. She squatted by him so they’d be eye to eye.

“Derion, you’re playing soccer this year! That’s really great!” He nodded solemnly, his eyes still worried. “Let me give you a few pointers,” volunteered the coach, putting her arm around him. He stood a little taller, looked at her seriously, and listened to her instructions. “Now,” she said, “go join your teammates!” They exchanged a high five, and he ran down the field, his orange jersey blazing in the summer sunlight. The coach smiled, turned, and called, “My team —the blue team— come on over! Let’s talk!” She wasn’t Derion’s coach! She was a coach for the other team, yet she had taken the time to build the confidence of a small boy facing a big moment.

I’m a long-distance grandmother, so I couldn’t watch many of the games that summer, but when I arrived at my grandson’s house in December, he greeted me with an excited grin. “Do you want to see my soccer medal?” “Of course! How did your team do?” I queried. “We didn’t win one game —not even one!” “Are you going to play soccer next year?” He laughed and answered, “Of course I am!” From his response, it was clear that members of the team had experienced plenty of fun.

They built their skills, learned teamwork, and grew in confidence.

They may not have won any games, but the coaches made sure that they experienced a multitude of victories.

Denise Dick Herr