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Health & Fitness

Summertime and the Soccer is Easy

The joys of youth soccer in summertime.

Easy as living was, for Porgy and Bess, that is. This summer, I have watched our young AYSO soccer players on the hill compete for pure, simple fun at the Ladera Linda fields each Wednesday evening. No official scoring, only a center ref, no worries about playoff positioning. Those that fear the goalkeeper position have a chance to give it another go without teammates getting upset at their errors.

At the start of summer, I wasn't enthusiastic about my son's request to play summer soccer because I didn't think it presented enough of a challenge to his skills. On top of that, my lazy self didn't want to make the weekly trek to the other side of the hill. I tried to talk him out of it even. I couldn't use the excuse that it was too expensive, because it's quite a bargain, actually.

Now that we are several weeks into it, my attitude has changed and I'm quite enjoying it, for the very reasons mentioned above. My worries about him not advancing his skills were all for naught. Earlier this summer he attended a soccer camp at which he learned some new goalkeeper moves. What better place to test them out than at a summer soccer game? He is also free to try right-footed kicks as much as possible, too (yes, he's a lefty).

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A week or so ago, I read about a 7-year-old boy in Argentina, purportedly already identified as a soccer phenom, who has been signed to a professional contract with Real Madrid. My first reaction was incredulity, but now I read that the contract is only for a year and he doesn't get paid, only transportation is covered. So, it's almost like a camp, only it's a year instead of two weeks. However, I'm not sure what I think about this. Apparently, this is no big deal in Europe. But, if my 9-year-old son were presented with such an offer (and I'm not expecting this by any means) I would most likely decline, for he's still at an age where discovery is important. I want him to play other sports, read books, play video games (but not too much), and learn more about the world. On top of that, hey, I didn't see anything about Real Madrid covering the parents' expenses while accompanying their son in Spain, and yes, of course, my husband and I would miss him.

Serious sports can come later. As the lullaby concludes, with lyrics credited to DuBose Heyward, not George Gershwin, "One of these mornings, you're gonna rise up singing. You're gonna spread your wings and take the sky. But till that morning, there is nothing can harm you with your daddy and mommy standing by."

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Amen to that, and let the fall season begin!

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