Those of you who know me - know how much I love playing soccer ...in espanol - football. And I definately came to the right country: they are football crazy! The past six months have held great instruction in the area of football playing in this country - not turning what I knew upside down, but rather presenting it in a new way. Coming here, after years of playing with (usually) only girls, on grass/turf, with a referee, with sid
elines...(all of which they also play with) but learning instead to play soccer in a court (instead of what I was used to) stretched me in many ways. Not in the least was learning to hold my own as (usually) one of two girls or the only girl on the court. Which I am used to when it comes to playing volleyball - but not soccer. And it is the same as in Canada, in the sense that a girl needs to prove herself on the field. But it is different because here girls are not the ones to play sports (though it is changing) - and I have had some interesting reactions to my presence. (None of which were entirely negative - some of which were embarrassing.) Another thing I have learned (and appreciated) is just how much "flow" there is to a play when all the players are thinking the same way. One of the men that I play with has given me great insight into how I can play better - and how the others think about playing. For example, knowing where you are going to pass it before it even comes to you. (Maybe this is not new to some players - but it is different when other players are EXPECTING you to pass it immediately rather than waiting for it.) This makes the plays much quicker and a lot more fun! Another thing I enjoy here is just how much the goalie is involved in the play - even offensive play. The goalie is not just stuck in net - he is an active participant/leader in initiating and setting up plays. The play is also quicker on the court - making it a fast-thinking, quick moving game. You really need to be on your feet all the time. The other thing that I have become more comfortable with is using the wall - it is like another player! We have just started playing on turf again - and I didn't realize how much I missed it! Being out there again was a huge lift - but I could see that my play had changed from playing on the court. I still have much more to learn - and I am excited that I get to spend the next 5 months learning more!
elines...(all of which they also play with) but learning instead to play soccer in a court (instead of what I was used to) stretched me in many ways. Not in the least was learning to hold my own as (usually) one of two girls or the only girl on the court. Which I am used to when it comes to playing volleyball - but not soccer. And it is the same as in Canada, in the sense that a girl needs to prove herself on the field. But it is different because here girls are not the ones to play sports (though it is changing) - and I have had some interesting reactions to my presence. (None of which were entirely negative - some of which were embarrassing.) Another thing I have learned (and appreciated) is just how much "flow" there is to a play when all the players are thinking the same way. One of the men that I play with has given me great insight into how I can play better - and how the others think about playing. For example, knowing where you are going to pass it before it even comes to you. (Maybe this is not new to some players - but it is different when other players are EXPECTING you to pass it immediately rather than waiting for it.) This makes the plays much quicker and a lot more fun! Another thing I enjoy here is just how much the goalie is involved in the play - even offensive play. The goalie is not just stuck in net - he is an active participant/leader in initiating and setting up plays. The play is also quicker on the court - making it a fast-thinking, quick moving game. You really need to be on your feet all the time. The other thing that I have become more comfortable with is using the wall - it is like another player! We have just started playing on turf again - and I didn't realize how much I missed it! Being out there again was a huge lift - but I could see that my play had changed from playing on the court. I still have much more to learn - and I am excited that I get to spend the next 5 months learning more! \manda
**photo courtesy of www.istock.com
2 comments:
That is so cool! You'll have to tell me more about it sometime, maybe when you're not dependent on a slow internet connection, or next time you happen to be in town :P
...Lucky...
I like how you have something that's really important to you that you didn't have to leave behind with all of the other things you hold dear. And that they can teach you a thing or two about it, and that it's another way you can grow and bring that growth back here.
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