Pejorative pigeonholes When we hear, “she’s a soccer mom,” we Americans all know the speaker means that the woman drives her kid, and perhaps their friends, to and from soccer in a minivan. Like all stereotypes, there is additional meaning lurking just below the surface. However, because this stereotype is “coded” with markers of the […]
Category: Soccer
Building Teams
I am utterly absorbed by coaching soccer. This has been a surprising development in my life, with many wonderful consequences including the discovery that I love soccer as much as I love leading people. It is both challenging and fulfilling to help the boys improve at what they do well and strive to get better […]
Fairy Rings and Porch Cones
Last night at soccer practice, a ring of cones appeared by my equipment bag that looked something like this picture. “Woah, what’s that? A battle ring?” “Who arranged the cones like that?” “It looks like a protective circle or something.” “Tim must have done that. Hey, look what Tim did.” I ignored them: “hey, could […]
A Round and About Path to Soccer
I love soccer. That is unremarkable given how many people the world-over are devoted to the “beautiful game.” My path, however, has been less direct than most. It begins like Mia Hamm, as documented by a photo of my Dad and me “playing” when I was about 3. I learned to walk because I wanted […]
