First Game at Walker

Our game was at a new field this week: Walker Upper Elementary. Shane would have attended here if we hadn't moved from the city.

There were hills sandwiching the field. Any ball that went out of bounds on the wrong side picked up speed and tried to escape through a parking lot!

We arrived early for the warm-ups. Shane was the only player who didn't deign to put on his jersey!

I saw a new player in the goal with gloves on: Hamza. He's one of the best offensive players on the team, but maybe he felt like trying something new.

Everyone goofed off until the coach called them in.

It looks like Shane is trying to hang on him here, but maybe it's just the perspective? I wouldn't put it past Shane.

Coach Nate lined everyone up to take shots on the goal....and he left Shane in the goal box!

I liked this warm-up! No complaining from Shane! He had a few good blocks, too!

Shane doesn't want to even try to score, so it was a great way to let him practice, too.

Huzzah!

Shane didn't block them all, though.

He needs to tone down his excuse game.

He should probably turn down his celebration game, too (but it's not as bad as the excuses!).

But it was great overall. It looked like the whole team loved it.

Shane was mostly warmed up by the time the game started!

He saw some action and nothing got in that I remember (or recorded).

The blocks weren't textbook pretty, but they were effective.

Shane had a big smile out (sometimes while yelling sound effects) as he carried the ball out each time.

He's getting a little better about judging when a ball is going out and it's smarter to allow it rather than leave his position. Shane's aware he made the right call here as you can see from the victory pose.

There were a couple of players on Orange who did a good job of ball handling. They'd breakaway and cover the distance to shoot. The defenders were normally right on them, so they never had time for a power shot. That allowed Shane some easier pick-ups.

Goal kicks continue to be a weakness of his. He likes to let other players take them for him.

I thought this was a funny clear. The teal player managed to whack his own teammate (or the other player managed to block the clear with his body!).

There was one kid on orange I couldn't help but think "This is their team's 'Shane.'"

He chattered and expressed himself just as much as Shane does. I couldn't help but laugh and think "It's not just my kid!"

Like I said before, Hamza's normally one of the best offensive players. He had two defenders chasing after him here.

And *WHOOP!*

He decided to change directions and bypass both of them.

The play ended up with the other team committing a handball penalty in the goalbox.

We scored on the PK (Orange 2 blocked an amazing picture! That's why pro organizations have so many photographers from so many angles!).

I think this is the time I heard Shane yelling for the ball so he could pick it up, but his defenders didn't listen. To Shane's credit, he didn't whine or complain. He let it go and kept on playing.

There were plenty of other opportunities to punt!

Orange 2 seemed like his team's star player. He made a lot of shot attempts.

There were never any unobstructed rockets. He'd dribble a long ways instead of passing, so there was usually enough time for someone to pressure him (I like the body block with the body language of "I want to block the ball, but I don't want to block the ball!"). 

Finian had a good takeaway here. Orange 2 was coming in hot...

...and then the ball was going the other way!

Here the throw-in got caught between two players in mid-air!

I love the action in these shots.

There was no score in soccer, but the field goal was good here! You can see the shooter's reaction.

There was a lot of ping and ponging the ball back and forth. Teal 8 scored a great kick on a flying ball that came in just below waist level. 

There was next to no space on the sidelines, so I got a lot of these shots by being so up and close to the action.....and then there was this shot where I was up and close to the action!

I stopped the ball from going down the hill (It felt good to contribute!).

I like this sequence for three reasons.

First, it shows good balance on the go by Shane.

Second, he had a big smile as he ran out. Third, the Orange player ran through to keep pressure on the goalie. I think that's good coaching.

It's extra effort to run, but sometimes pressure can make mistakes happen.....or if a mistake happens naturally (like the ball rolling through someone's legs) you're there to capitalize on it!

At halftime, I made Shane retrieve his jersey. He practiced kicking it across the field more than he practices kicking a soccer ball.

And the moron didn't put it on either.

I kept gesturing for him to put it on and all I got were dumb looks, shrugs, and head scratches. I even yelled "Jersey!" at one point and he picked it up without putting it on. The parents next to me were cracking up.

Eventually, Shane figured it out (or decided he'd like to play).

Hamza was in the goal this time. He looked like a pro from his stance!

He played like he knew what he was doing, as well.

He let the ball bounce before punting, though. I don't normally see that. 

Teal kept up the pressure and took a shot from the outside.

I caught the score and the celebration on camera!

Shane eventually got in the game and got his exercise in.

A lot of the action happened on the other side of the field this time. There was a curve to it in the middle. You can tell from this shot where the shoes of all the players aren't visible.

Maybe the side of the field that gets more play at this level depends on the footedness of the better team? I have no data to back that thought up. It's just me keeping my brain busy during slow moments.

Shane got to do the throw-in here. I can tell from his blue pants (but can't see his feet from the stupid curved field, ha!).

Shane stuck to his usual defensive role.

He did listen Hamza in goal. He backed off from intercepting a ball when Hamza called for it....and then gave Hamza the go ahead signal for a big punt! Ha!

I don't think Shane was in the game as a defender for more than 15 or 20 minutes, but he stayed active enough I was proud of his effort.

When the game was over, the fun continued at the playground.

There was no way all those kids were going to walk past it without playing!

There was some program going on at the school that flooded out as we were leaving.

Shane said the older girls on the equipment were bossy and scared away some younger kids, so he decided to teach them a lesson by shaking it from the top!

I didn't step in right away, but I told him to knock it off after a little. Frankly, it looked like he was humping the pole. 

Anyway, another game made for another good start to the weekend. Shane and I did some errands before heading home. Carrie returns tomorrow!