Soccer

Noah and Griffin started a soccer clinic for 3-5 year olds at the Y on Saturday. The 3 and 5 year olds are technically in different groups, but since I was there solo (Mike was doing a triathlon) Griffin rolled with the (mostly) 5 year olds so we could all be together.  (I forgot my camera at home, so thanks, Kate for loaning me yours so I could get a few pic!!)


Things started out touch and go, but the session ended great.
1) The coach started the group out with some stretching exercises. During this time, Miles, Noah and Griffin were all attached to me like velcro. Zero stretching from the Brown boys.
2) The coach encouraged the kids to play a red light-green light game (yellow, slow dribbling; green, fast dribbling; red, stop). Somehow, Noah got up the courage to play and when the coach transitioned from green light to red light Noah didn't stop right away (he was too busy laughing and kicking). The coach said, "hey, buddy! stop!" Poor Noah was so embarrassed that he burst into tears.
3) Noah begged to stop. He said he didn't like playing and was all done. This mama was determined for him to see it threw and told him to "be brave" and assured him that we weren't going anywhere. He got back into the clinic (at this point it was a new game) and enjoyed the rest of hour. Griffin followed his big brother and warmed up to it too.

They played a super hero game where the kids would dribble until they heard "super man!" at which point they would turn around with their ball and dribble in the other direction.

The kids also practiced trapping and kicking with their parents. Their favorite game was where they were asked to dribble and "score points" by kicking the ball against their coaches feet. Huge hit.

Here they are waiting in line to take shots on goal. Their coach taught they to "dribble - little kicks and shoot - BIG kick." Seriously, so cute.


Miles starts an after school soccer clinic tomorrow, taught by a professional soccer player (from the Charlotte Eagles). I'll have to try to sneak over to his school one Monday with a super zoom lens on my camera. :)