Personal Narrative: Soccer Drills For Young Children

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.

It was my third time trying out for middle school soccer. I felt strong, fit and ready

Growing up I had focused on competitive soccer. Soccer challenged me both physically and mentally and I learned to love these demands on the field. These challenges helped me foster a self-confidence in myself when it came to athletics. When I fractured my tibia playing against my rival high school, sending my knee cap into my thigh, I was faced with a new test. The sport that I loved was taken away from me for an extended period of time and it took away part of my identity. Who was I without soccer?

I was told that on the day of my birth, the operating room was overcrowded with medical staff, bright

I pulled my red socks up over my right shin guard, then my left. I slipped on my shoes, making sure they were knotted extra tight so they would not come undone. After I brushed my hair back into a ponytail and fixed my headband, I was ready. On the bus, everyone chattered about the upcoming game, music blaring, loud with excitement. The game featured my soccer team, Oak Hills, and one of our rivals, Ursula. Ursula, known for their great passing and winning record, was very well going to be one of the hardest teams we had to play. But, we were prepared and nothing could stop us.

I have known it for fifteen years. For fifteen years I have lived, breathed, and marveled at it. I am only eighteen years old meaning it has taken up almost all of my life. I know nothing else but this, and it is soccer. Soccer has been my lifestyle ever since I was able to walk and it has been what keeps me going and keeps me motivated in life. Soccer has made me who I am today and has taught me almost everything I have ever needed to know.

People in this world, have a heart that makes them fall in love. I'm not talking about, love with another person, but instead with an activity, a hobby or a job. As for me, my heart pulled me towards soccer. I was born in Mexico City, and us Mexicans are huge soccer fans. I was raised in a soccer family and ever since, a ball has followed me around my whole life.

I grew up with a love towards sports. Sure I started off in ballet and gymnastics but one day my best friend told me I should play soccer with her. So of course I begged my mom to let me do another sport. Little did I know soccer would have such a big impact on my life. I started off with playing recreational league soccer. My first coach, was my softball coach, and he decided I would be a perfect forward. As the years went on and I got a different coach my position changed. I went from a forward to a midfielder then finally a defender.

Walking out on the field clothed in full confidence, I have no doubt in my mind that our team will perform to our fullest potential. As a team captain, fear is something that I keep locked away in my mind; however, I still get butterflies before every game. Before each game, I inhale two puffs, stretch every muscle, and sing to myself to remain placid. When praying for strength, courage, and protection, it is like the Holy Ghost enters my players and kindles inside of them. Their focus shifts from what could go wrong to what will go right and what they will do to help the team. When I walk on the field, my heart begins to feel like it is about to beat out of my chest, and I feel like someone is trying to take over my kingdom. On the field I am home, I have purpose, and I have a sense of belonging. While I may feel like I am suffocating, I still continue to pump my

My parents instilled in me from a young age that team sports provide the experience of winning and losing which builds character. It requires hard work and dedication, being able to get back up when you lose and creates confidence; all important attributes for being successful at life. Soccer was the first sport to really catch my eye. I started playing at the age of six and fell in love with it. Ever since I was little, I remember every weekend my family and I were at a sports game.

With my stick in my hand and passion in my heart, I looked to my left to see the group of fearsome girls practicing in silence on the turf field. With this sight, I muttered quietly to myself underneath my breath, “Never Again”. Over the course of my enduring three years in high school so far, I have been apart of many different communities with diverse people coming together to express unity amongst each other. The exposure of different clubs, sports teams, and friend groups have shown me many unique ideas and lessons. However, the lesson I have valued the most was my choice of finding a sport that made me feel more positive and allowed me to succeed to my full potential.

I have always loved soccer, ever since I was small and had just started it, along with kindergarten. Now I was venturing into a new level of soccer: elementary school soccer. For the past year, I had been watching professional soccer, making sure to learn from every important detail that had made those larger than life players so extraordinary, so talented, and so perfect. I wrote down facts, statistics, and formations that seemed to bring them success. I practiced soccer often. For a while, I would practice for an hour or more at home after school, and when it got too cold to go outside, I would go in my garage to juggle and shoot the ball, then up to two hours at a time. I was so excited for the elementary school soccer program and I thought

For instance, I did not know how they might take to me, since the preparatory group are closer to my age and might see myself as a peer rather than their instructor. Because I understand it is hard for individuals aged 17 to 19 to see a 22 year old as an authority figure. So I was told by the other coaches to remain calm, but also be assertive in order for them to respect me and not try to get their every way. The first day of instructing a class I started with the developmental group (12-15yrs). I started off by getting everyone’s name and introducing myself, just so each of them could get a feel for me and vice versa. Next, I had them jog 3 laps around the indoor turf and afterwards they had to do warm up drills. The warm up drills consisted of: butt kicks, B-skip, knee to chest, and lunges with a twist. After five minutes of warm-ups, I instructed them to line up on the goal line and participate in jumping jacks (20sec), crunches (3x10), fire hydrants (2x15each). The reasoning for the pre-workout is to get the individulas blood flowing and starting a good breathing routine. Most importantly the warmup exercises help prevent individuals from becoming injury and experienicing

I am a cross age tutor for physical education. This means I am the PE coach of twenty-seven first graders. As a coach, I am responsible for my students, and I have to try and motivate them to participate. I am also in charge of organizing and demonstrating activities for the class. Being the oldest of 6 kids, I am often around young children. I incorporate my experiences with my siblings to help me with my first graders. My knowledge from my siblings make me a better cross age tutor. I have the patience to wait for the children to settle down. I can speak in a kid friendly tone and language, but also make them aware that I’m their coach. As their coach, I notice some students don’t enjoy physical education. My job is to make sure all my students

The ball was passed to me and I was suddenly on the ground. The moment went in slow motion. In that instant my whole life would be changed.The sun was just beginning to set and the weather was perfect, the rest of the players moved passed me towards the ball. In that moment I looked down at my leg and screamed.