Soccer Season

In Saucon Valley you have to be 5 and in kindergarten to play soccer so Jackson has just been waiting to play. If any of you have ever played sports with Jackson, you know when I say that he takes his sports seriously, that is an understatement. When we got back from Utah, we got an email saying soccer practice would start in about a week or so. Well, he started his own training camp that include scrimmages and practicing heading the ball. One day when I was chucking the ball at his head he said, "Mom, do you think we are going to do this in practice?" When I told him that I thought this might be slightly advanced for Kindergarten/1st grade soccer he said, "Awe, come on!" He doesn't realize the level of what he really is on. Whenever we pass by the school and see the high school soccer team practicing he says, I bet we'll play them". Again, I have to burst his bubble and tell him that mostly likely you won't. He replies with, "Mom, you don't know. We might". Well, I guess we'll see.

Jackson's team consist of 8 kids: 5 boys and 3 girls. 5 are 1st graders and 3 are kindergartens. He has two coaches that are really nice and very good teachers. I really like the kids on the team and Jackson has a very fun time playing with them. I think Jackson was humbled a little bit his 1st practice because the other kids were all pretty good. They actually play real soccer games and not jumble ball which I am familiar with kids of this age. Jackson has lots of energy and his coaches are trying harness it with appropriate skills now.

His team is called the "Lighting Bolts " because of the ultra bright yellow jerseys they get to wear. His first game was on Saturday so we decided we better get some cleats or "clayats" as Jackson refers to them as. As we were walking to the car after purchasing the shoes, I was telling him that he had to be careful where he kicks so he doesn't kick people in the shins because cleats can really hurt. I was more referring to when he plays with the family in the backyard who wouldn't have shin guards on but he replies with "Mom, If I hurt other kids they have other players they can send in". He said this in a very matter-of-fact tone. I am so glad that my son has loving compassion for his opponents.

Jackson was so excited for his game that he had a hard time sleeping that night. His coach jokingly said to the kids that there were to be no late nights on Friday so they would be ready for the game on Saturday. Jackson took it very seriously and said that we couldn't have movie night because he was not to stay up late. He is a very dedicated player.

Jackson loves to play defense and although they don't have goalies, Jackson plays like one minus picking up the ball. He really likes defending the goal. Must be a family thing because John-David and I both liked playing goalie in our soccer days.

Warming up with part of the team.

Getting ready for a kick off.

They divide the kids into two groups of 4 and they each play for 8 minute quarters. They don't keep score officially but the kids all do. The game was really fun to watch and it's so funny to have your kid out there playing. You are yelling out there for them to do all sorts of different things and for now, he actually tries to listen to it. Even though the ball got past him a few times and the other team scored, he had a really good time playing.

This is his buddy Calix. Jackson assisted him in making a goal.

The team after the game.

I think that this was my favorite thing of the whole game. The brother of one of Jackson's teammates obviously wasn't as interested in the game and decided to climb the fence. He slipped trying to get over to the other side and got caught by his shirt. His dad I think was annoyed with him because he looked over, shook his head and went back to watching the game.

Eventually I think he went over to help him. John-David couldn't pass up taking a photo when he noticed him dangling there. Looks like there will be lots of entertainment at the soccer games this fall.