2007-06-03

Soccer on the basketball court

I just looked outside to see how my son's doing on the playground and was greeted with the greatest sight a soccer freak like myself could see: he and a group of kids in windbreakers playing ad-hoc soccer on the basketball court. He had just scored and was running around the court, his arms out to his sides, cheering in glee. It's underground. It's magic. It's what this country needs more of if we're going to further develop our soccer standing around the world.

Kids playing soccer is almost natural. A simple and inexpensive game, everyone can play it with minimal effort. Started young enough, the magic of the feet and ball becomes second nature in the older players. Skill development is augmented by memories of playground and gym games with friends and foes and the skills come quicker without replacing the joy. It's this kind of environment that fosters true soccer skills in the same way stick ball can turn into the most elegant form of baseball we'll ever play.

Encourage your kids to play more often -- the type of ball and shoes don't matter on the playground -- and you'll find an energy to the game that maybe your local clubs or soccer organizations can't generate on their own. Heck, go out and join them if you're willing to leave the rules at home. All that matters is that feet are dancing happily around that elusive sphere in the grass, on the pavement, on the dirt.

Soccer is addictive and if allowed to come from the roots in which it was refined will become pervasive. It's only a matter of time.

Labels: football, kids and soccer, soccer, soccer philosophy

posted by S.Gecko at 15:23