The Ultimate Soccer Mom

 

01.03.05 (9:52 am)   [edit]

The varying degrees of Soccer Moms.

Recreational Soccer Mom:  Anyone can join, no prior experience required.  1 practice night/week,  lasting 1 hour at a community park nearest you.  Saturday morning games at same park.  Fun non-competitive atmosphere. Parents from both teams mingle.   Snack-list distributed at start of season which lasts 8 weeks. Each parent has one week to bring a post game snack and drink for the team.   Season is ended with a full day tournament where each team plays 3  abbreviated  games and every player receives a participation medallion or trophy.  Season end team Pizza party.  Commitment level is low.

Intermediate Soccer Mom:  Players are recommended for a mock try-out via their rec. coach.  Depending on size of program, enough teams are formed so that every child that is recommended is put on a team.  1 practice night/week,  lasting 90 minutes at a community park nearest you.  1 game per weekend for 8 weeks.  Half on the home field and half played within 20- 30 miles of home.  Friendly atmosphere, with a hint of competition.  Not to brutal yet. Parents may or may not interact with opposition.  Snack-list distributed at start of season which lasts 8 weeks.  Each parent has one week to bring a post game snack and drink for the team.    1 Season end tournament.  3 abbreviated games with 1st place team in each age bracket receiving trophies and the rest a participation medallion or patch.  Season end Team Pizza party.  Commitment level is moderate.

Advanced Soccer Mom: Players are selected via coach word of mouth for a  try-out via their rec. coach or Inter. coach.  Each age bracket will select enough players to make one team, so not everyone will be accepted. <cuts>  1-2  practice night(s)/week,  lasting 90 minutes at a community park nearest you.  1 game per weekend for 8-10 weeks depending on how many counties participate.  Half on the home field and half played within 2 or 3 counties from home.  Competitive atmosphere from players and fans. Some parents will speak to opposition parents but it is not the norm.   Season& nbsp;lasts 10 - 12 weeks.  Each parent is individually responsible for the nutrition and hydration of their own player. Possible independent tournaments scattered thru out the season depending on the coach's desire to develop the team.   Season end tournament day.  3 abbreviated games with 1st place team in each age bracket receiving trophies and the rest go home empty handed.  Season end Team Party.  Commitment level is High and required.

Competitive Soccer Mom:  Players are scouted and chosen by their ability to play the game.  Try-outs are held when and if there is an opening.  Try-outs are cut throat and brutal.  1  2 hour training session a week with a professional trainer working on individual skill and 2 -3  2 hour team training sessions with team coach at a centrally located field that may or may not be convenient due to where you live.  At least one game per weekend, more often 2 games a weekend.  Location of games can be anywhere within a 200 mile radius and most games are not at home.  Here in Florida our Fall season lasts from late August - December.  The spring season starts in late January and goes thru May.  Each parent tends to their own athletes nutrition and hydration needs.  Spanning from fruit wedges to power bars in large quantity.  Competition is fierce.  Parents are rarely friendly on the sideline.  There is even competition with parents on the same team.  The sidelines have a high tension level.  Independent tournaments at least once a month.  These tournaments last from Friday night thru late in the day on Sunday.  Distance can be as much as 300 miles away requiring 2 night hotel stay.  The games are full games and there is often 3 games a day per team.  Championship games are played late on Sunday.  Winner receives impressive hard wear and losers go home empty handed.  Season end tournaments follow the same format.  Region Cup competition once a year, which can lead to District and State compel tition with winning.  With a dedicated coach there will be clinics held during school breaks to develop the team.  Lead by profession coaches.  Commitment is Extreme and mandatory.  You live for your team and your athlete.

I have omitted a bunch, like dealing with the heartache.  The struggles as a parent of wondering if your doing the right thing exposing your young athlete to such an environment.

My son has an extreme talent for this game.  His skill on the pitch is a huge asset to his team.  There are expectations of  great things from him on a regular basis.  That puts added pressure on him and in turn on me to be mentally and morally supportive of him. 

The key to this is a compassionate coach who knows how to use positive reinforcements to gain results.  I am thankful that we have such a coach.  I am thankful to my soccer family, for making this commitment we all go into blindly, so much more enjoyable. 

I am the ultimate soccer mom...right down to the bumper sticker on my car that reads...

I have no life... My son plays Competitive Soccer.

To the youngest light of my life... 

I am so very proud of you, Everyday of my life.

Boo-Yah !!