Personal Essay: How Soccer Changed My Life

Growing up in a house with all boys in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, I was taught to be tough and injuries were very common but easily shaken off. When it came to sports, I would put all my time and effort into one thing: soccer. Soccer was always a true passion of mine; as a matter of fact, it was more of a lifestyle than just a sport. I would spend weekends traveling around my local area playing the game I loved with people I enjoyed being with. My teammates became like my second family after countless seasons and we did almost everything together off the soccer field. The idea of putting on my jersey and lacing up my cleats was a moment I would not trade for the world and something I would never take for granted.

I am extremely grateful for this because soccer has impacted my life immensely. I can honestly say that soccer has pushed my life forward in a positive direction. It taught me how to be competitive, hard-working, and how to deal with people I necessarily didn't agree with or care for. That competitiveness that I first learned at the ripe age of four is something that has carried on into other aspects of my life including my education. I always want to have the highest grade in the class and if that’s not possible than the highest grade that I can get. This previously mentioned competitiveness on the field and in the classroom translates into hard work. Dealing with people I don't get along with isn't something that I am the best at, but I have been working on it. I am not always going to like my boss or coach, but I am not going to be able to change that. I can think of a few examples where I have gotten into an argument with someone who I definitely shouldn’t have been disrespecting and as I look back I feel foolish and that helps me deal with similar situations that I currently

Everyone has that certain thing that makes them who they are. That certain thing for me is soccer. It’s my hobby, my biggest interest, and my passion. Soccer isn’t just a sport for me, it’s my life. It has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. I have played the intriguing game of soccer since I was four years old, and I have loved it ever since.

As a child, I grew up playing softball and that 's it. My mom played softball, my cousins played softball. It’s just all I knew. When I reached the seventh grade at Gardner Dickinson (my elementary and middle school), my friends all played soccer and I reluctantly joined as well. Each year I had my ups and downs with soccer, but it grew to be a part of who I am and has taught me a lot of things. For example, to try new things, to work hard, to never give up, and to step up and be a leader.

Everyone has that one special thing. The thing that is comfortable and familiar. The thing that makes every problem, worry, and doubt go away. My thing is soccer. I cannot recall a time in my life where I didn’t have a ball at my feet. Soccer has been a major part of my life ever since I was born. From attending my first soccer game at the young age of one month, playing my first soccer game when I was two years old, and still playing to this day, it is safe to say that soccer has taken over my life.

The last time I played soccer was March of 2016, and I am now running track full

I wanted to play high school soccer because it offers a completely different experience than club soccer. The thing is, high school soccer and club soccer are two very different variations of soccer. In club soccer you are playing against teams within your same age group and in high school you could be playing against players three years older than you. In club soccer you practice 3 times a week, but in high school soccer it is everyday after school. I soon found out that soccer in high school is all about hardwork and dedication, the coaches love to see the kids who are working their butts off. I decided to try out anyways and the experience was not what I expected. During tryouts, everyone was in their own circles passing the ball around, keeping to themselves. Soccer was not the same. I thought soccer was about making new friends and bonding, but a lot of them kept to themselves. This was a new team experience for me and eventually everyone became friends, less timid and playing like a team that had been together for awhile. Although the rules for the team were very strict, it turned out to be one of my favorite high school experiences. The coaching was also very different but allowed me to learn something from each coach and put that into my soccer playing to become a better

Soccer is my passion because it has given me so many opportunities in life and I have most of my best memories from playing soccer. Ever since I was young years old soccer has been my number one sport, I have played other sports like basketball, softball, volleyball and tennis but soccer has been the main one that has stuck with me. Soccer has benefited my life in so many ways it has helped me stay in shape, meet new people, go to places I have never been before, taught me how to be a great leader, improved my reaction skills and fastened my decision making skills in tough situations. This sport has relieved my stress lowered my anxiety levels and overall has made me a happier person. Soccer has helped me so much with my anxiety and I am thankful

Growing up, sports never seemed to be my expertise. Dancing my youth away, I never imagined to show passion for such an intrusive contact sport. My friends continued to nag at me saying “You have to try out for the soccer team.” My first year of middle school I stepped out onto the field. Occasionally forgetting to breathe,I focused right on the ball. I started to think to myself that I could get used to this. I mean how bad could it be? What I didn’t realize was I did not have much soccer skills under my belt, but making the team already was an accomplishment. I respected the captains when they talked, and I tried, day after day, to pick up the skills they possessed.

My soccer team, The Newcomers eventually won the city championship, and my experience on the team changed my emotions toward soccer. It all started when I was twelve years old, a seventh grader in middle school. I put most of my effort into finding a sport where I could excel. It was difficult because being good at a sport takes plenty of time.

But there are many people who have a different opinion about soccer. That is where the conflict begins. But let me tell my story on how I feel about soccer. I started playing soccer when I was around 4. I have loved it ever since then.

When I was three years old, I began playing a sport that would change my life forever. Throughout my life I have tried just about every sport available to me. The one that stuck with me and that I continued to play every year was soccer. It was the love of my life. I loved everything about it from the sweet smell of the fresh cut grass to the most exhilarating feeling of scoring a goal.

Since 5th grade I have played for the local travel soccer team. I have always been on the lowest team from the beginning and when I was younger I was fine with it because at least I was playing the sport that I love. As I got older it became more competitive and I was tired of being on the lowest team. I told my coaches I was interested in moving up and asked them what I could do to get there. They told me what I needed to do to improve and I practiced almost every day after school. I tried out freshman and sophomore year to make the highest team and both times I failed. I did everything they told me to but it still wasn't good enough. For a short time I thought about giving up but then I realized that I have worked too hard and too long to

I have been playing soccer since the age of 3, and I fell in love with the sport as soon as I felt my foot impact the beauty of the ball. All through my childhood, soccer was my life, it was my passion, and I couldn't go a day without playing. From playing at lunch time on the concrete floor with my friends and getting all sweaty in our gray preppy uniforms, to playing on the school

I have been playing soccer for almost 13 years and have never thought about quitting. I have gone to all the practices that were held for my team, as well as the games and tournaments. By doing this, I have learned the value of working my hardest until the very end, even when I was sick, tired or had multiple blisters on my feet. I do not give up and do this because commitment does not come without pain or sacrifice. For example, during the off season of soccer, I individually train with coaches to keep my skills sharp in order to perform my best with my soccer team.