Zane's First Soccer Game (and practice)

So, last week, Zane started soccer!  Last Thursday was his first practice, followed by his first game on Saturday.  Let me tell you, it has been nothing less than interesting the whole way so far!  Have I ever got some good pics for you, too!

Okay, so let me start off by telling you that his first practice really brought out a side of Zane that we didn't really know was there.   It was this shy, scared, reclusive side that really shocked us!  If you know Zane, you know that he is the most outgoing, friendly kid you'll ever meet!  Whenever he went to chase down the ball, as soon as another little boy would get near it, he would back off and slump off the field toward us.  He was not at all interested in battling for the ball with any of his teammates.  Same thing when it came to passing the ball.  He didn't want to pass his ball to any of the other kids.  He would just stand there and mope.  Now, when the coach did a running drill by having all of them chase him, Zane LOVED that!  He was quick, too!  Right out in front!  And when the coach had each of the boys kick their own ball into the net, Zane did that just fine, too.  In fact, he was the first one to get his ball in the goal.  So obviously team interaction was a problem for him.  I was a little bit frustrated to say the least, but I figured we would keep at it, and being that this was his first time to ever do any kind of team sport, maybe he would get used to it eventually.

So here are some pics from his very first soccer practice....

Here is Zane on our way- he was very excited!

Jody spent a lot of time out on the field just trying to talk Zane into playing with the other kids!

Here he is truly having fun chasing after the coach!

Heehee... Gage really wanted in on the action, too!

So then came Saturday- game day!  We were to be there early so the kids could get their uniforms.  They were all just adorable!  Everyone ordered the same extra small size, but they were still quite a bit big on these little 3-year-olds!  Zane loved his uniform- and he was very proud of being number 6.  So, we get to our field, and Zane and Jody kick the ball around a little bit while Gage eats some cereal.  Karen showed up to see his first game, which he was happy about.  Then, the game started.  Zane was on the roster to be first out.  We wondered how he would do.  Sure enough, just like at practice, he just stood there with his arms hanging down while he watched everyone else play.  Don't get me wrong, he wasn't the only one the whole time who did this!  There were definitely other little ones crying and running around aimlessly!  Zane would wander around- no interest in going after the ball what-so-ever, and then he might come over to where we were on the sideline, or point at the food stand.  

Well, after that quarter, the coach took him out and put in his son.  Which was so super funny because his son just sat in the middle of the field and sobbed for his mommy!  Our team seemed to always be a man down- haha!  Well, during this time, I had Zane sit in my lap.  He ate some of the cereal that I had brought, and watched the game.  He had previously said that he did not like soccer and did not want to play.  But I knew he loved to kick the ball.  Sooooo... I tried to get him into it.  I pointed at his teammates, and I asked him what color his team was.  He pointed at his shirt, which was blue.  So I told him that we wanted the blue team- not the red team- to get the ball in the net and score.  I asked him if he knew what net our team was supposed to kick it in.  So he pointed at the right one, and he even perked up a little bit.  Suddenly, out of nowhere, he was joining in with the crowd yelling, "Gooooo team!!"  

This little boy Christopher on his team had come over to high-five his mom (he was really good), and so I held up my hand to high-five him.  I asked Zane if he wanted to, too.  And he did!  So Christopher gave him a high-five and ran back out.  Well, soon after, it was time for Zane to go back in.  He was actually excited!  He jumped off of my lap, and I held up my hands for high-fives, and I told him that he could do it, and to go get that ball in that net!!  He gave his Nene and high-five, too, and he ran out to the middle of the field where the team and the coach were.

That's when it turned around.  Suddenly, Zane was a little soccer superstar!!  This kid was on fire!!  His face was lit up, and he was actually going after the ball!  Even while the other kids were!  It was amazing.  He even kicked it a few times!  The coach even came by at one point and said that it was a totally different kid out on the field.  It was true!  So, he played until the end of the game, and was all smiles when it was done.  He asked, "Did I do a great job, Mama?"  I, of course, told him how awesome he was!  

So, here are pictures from his first game....

Here he is all proud in his new uniform:

Proud to be number 6!

Zane and Daddy kicked the ball around before the game started:

Haha- notice the team on the other side of the field while Zane stands there all alone!

Ah, but alas- he comes to life!!

Look at that face!  He is truly having fun!

And finally, my favorite one- look at him all up in the front of the pack!

So, so far, soccer has been quite an adventure with Zane!  I have enjoyed it, though, and I will definitely continue to post pictures and stories about what fun things happen throughout the season!  

PS- I am SO a soccer mom now!!  : )