This week is Jordan's first time trying soccer. She's been a dancer 5 years. She can do ballet, tap, jazz, and now she has to learn to be more aggressive, and play as a teammate. Yes, she can do all the stretches, and she's got strong legs, but the whole concept is so different.
When she was in dance, it was a lesson in personal responsibility. The challenge with soccer will be if she accept her mistakes, own up to them, and not blame her faults on her teammates. I suspect the first time she takes a soccer ball to the face she'll ask to quit, but she'll need to learn the term "recovery time". You know, how long it takes to get over doing something wrong or embarrassing and to get back to playing your best again.
She's got the best coach in the league (in my opinion). He loves the kids, he's more concerned about their fun than fierce competition, and is careful they don't sustain any serious injuries this young. He'll push her further than she thinks she can go, but she'll learn that mistakes are part of learning.
I'm looking forward to it, and when the season's done, I'll look back and tell her how proud I am of her.
