We had practice twice this week on Monday and Wednesday. Practices were at WAHS instead of near UVA. I wasn't thrilled about the extra 10 minutes each way, but in for a penny in for a pound.
The website had said there would be one practice a week at each of the local high schools. I teach at one, so I assumed that's where we'd go. When practice was at UVA last week, I didn't know if that was the new normal, but it was a nice field and decent location.
It was also a clue that the website wasn't up to date. The next two weeks look to be at WAHS.
There was a call for any volunteers who'd be able to run a practice closer in to Cville. If I knew anything about lax I may have offered, but I know squat. I try to watch and listen to what's going on at least half the time I'm at Shane's practices.
I recognize several of the coaches from Cavalier Wrestling Club. I don't really know them, but it's funny to see a wrestling connection at a different sport!
Shane's still behind the curve, but he's already improved. There was one drill where the kids were supposed to run out, scoop up, and return balls in less time than the other group (losers did 5 push-ups).
Shane was trotting instead of running the first round (to several teammate's dismay). The second round he jogged and looked like he was using his brain to game the system. The kids were only allowed to drop one ball in at a time, but Shane scooped up two balls. He dropped one ball as he got closer to the bucket, plunked in the allowed ball, and then jogged back to the ball he dropped.
It would have been brilliant if he didn't sometimes have trouble scooping up or maintaining both balls.
The coach either didn't notice or didn't say anything. I was happy to see signs of thinking (and complimented Shane on using his brain later.....with the caveat of "if the coach wants you to get better at running and scooping you may not be able to do that in the future).
Shane's working on learning how to fit in. He's gotten in 'trouble' a couple of times for sitting down or lollygagging while everyone else moved to a quicker tempo. There's one little guy (I think his name is Shep) who seems to gleefully whack at anyone who comes near him and Shane's a favorite target since he fusses.
Shane's still having fun and it's neat to see a different sport. The coach told all the kids to work on passing and catching, because "if you can't do those, it's field hockey and not lacrosse." That's going to be what I focus on doing with Shane. I don't really know technique, but a game of catch is easy enough and fun to boot.
I originally wanted to sign up for a Scottsville soccer club, but it turned out to be fall only. I knew a guy from wrestling who coached lacrosse and I've always been a little curious, so I texted to ask what options there were for a 3rd grader.
We missed the first week, but we're jumping in feet first. I bought Shane a bunch of used gear on Saturday and had him try it on.
He thinks it looks really cool!
The shoulder pads were too tight and Shane cried about getting them off. "They hurt my ears!" The gloves were on the small side and the compression shorts........when they said they'd fit an 18-22 inch waist I counted on something much, larger.
I had to do another run to Play it Again Sports after work Monday. The total tally of gear was around $65 for shoulder pads, cup, gloves, elbow pads, mouth guard, and a pair of lacrosse balls to practice with. I got the helmet and stick from Tony and I'm hoping Shane's old soccer cleats still fit. The season was $175 and I had to buy a $30 membership to US Lacrosse, so this is the most expensive sport Shane has done to date (it took me two hours of driving, shopping and research to get everything and sign up, too!).
Our first practice was Monday night, 6:30 PM at the Park at UVA. It was all new to both of us!
Mental note: Long sleeves are warmer and make the elbow pads fit better. Also, fix the helmet so that it sits straight.
I was a little nervous, but Shane didn't seem to be in the least. I told him to run up and introduce himself to the coach.
He told the coach that he got plenty of lacrosse practice by scooping horse poop!
There were three coaches for the 3rd and 4th graders. They lined them up and I heard "If you're standing still, you're doing lacrosse wrong!"
Shane looked like the only kid who didn't have any prior experience.
There was a fair sized group of kids. The coaches split the kids into three groups for three different drill stations.
The first station did an 'Oklahoma drill' where two kids laid down and then rushed to get the ball and return it before the other.
The second station involved shooting on goal. The last involved running and short passes.
"Everyone was really serious," Shane said when practice ended.
He wasn't wrong either. It was a fairly focused set of young boys.....not that they were all angels. If anything, a few of them looked hyper competitive. One of them came up and bumped Shane after a drill. It looked like Shane was able to handle himself and turn it into some kind of game, though!
I watched everything really carefully to see what the coaches were trying to work on. I knew nothing going in, but I felt I caught onto enough I could help Shane practice a little at home.
So we did! Tuesday was beautiful, so Shane and I played a little pass and he scooped up some grounders.
He had to find some poop free patches to lie down in for the other drill.
I warned Shane that he was going to have a lot of catching up to do. I didn't want him to get discouraged that he was "the worst one."
"Just by showing up, you're already better than everyone who stayed at home," I said. I wanted him to focus on giving an effort and having fun. If he had fun with the process, results would show up naturally (or not and that'd be okay, too!).
Wednesday was the second practice. The coaches had the kids line up across from each other and play catch to start. One coach tried to help Shane out with his technique.
He's got a long way to go, but he already looks a little better!
I've learned a lot more about strategies like boxing out, kicking the ball, checking, why players spin, and how rough you're allowed to be. Shane hasn't absorbed all of that yet. He gets distracted and gets frustrated when he doesn't do as well as he imagines he should.
He got really frustrated during the final whole group drill. There were four groups of boys. It was supposed to be a 2 v 2. The ball was thrown and whichever side recovered it first became the offense. Their job was to have one clean pass and then try to score while the defense tried to shut them down.
Shane didn't even run out the first time. He threw a small fit at the end, but managed to get back in line for the next round.
Afterward, Shane was mad and told me people kept talking to him and expected him to listen to them, but somehow also know when to run out. "That's impossible!" he said.
Shane was slow to run out the second time, but he managed to get out there. He wasn't really sure what to do yet. The other kids were yelling things like "Check him!"
The coach yelled something and there was a big dog pile in the goal when practice ended. I was surprised Shane didn't dive in. He went over to where the coach was instead. I think he's still trying to figure out exactly where he fits in.
That said, Shane likes lacrosse so far. I always try to point out positive things. I won't shy away from topics like, "Don't hit the stick we borrowed on the ground," but I want there to be an emphasis on fun and growth.
I expect the first game will be interesting whenever that is.
However it goes, we're in for the season. I'm looking forward to learning more myself. I may need to get a stick for myself to practice with Shane.
First, there was horse chores. Second, there was TKD.
After TKD, I visited a wrestling friend who coaches lacrosse. He had some gear for Shane to borrow.
Shane really liked the gear. He was so excited about 'armoring up' for lacrosse he wore the helmet to the recycling center (our next stop!).
I told Shane we were going by 5th Street Station next. He kept asking about food the whole way and I said, "Maybe we'll get something there."
What he didn't know was that Carrie was waiting for him! They went to a SPCA fundraiser at the Alamo Drafthouse. They had lunch and watched a ton of funny cat videos together!
Meanwhile, I slid over to Panera for lunch. Then I drove north to attend Prezcon.
Prezcon is a board game convention. I've known about it for years and been curious, but never attended. This year, I decided I'd take a look.
It's funny how going to something brand new can make you a little nervous. I wasn't really sure what to expect, but adventure called!
There were lots of tournaments for popular board games with scheduled heats. If I were to go again, I would be interested in those. However, today was a scouting mission. I paid $30 for open gaming and then wandered around. There was a game library and tables downstairs.
There weren't a lot of tables open. Most people were already involved in games. Maybe my timing was off, but it's probably easier when you come with a group or meet people in the scheduled games.
There was a sign for someone play-testing a game they designed. I took the plunge and said I was in.
It was a hidden movement game with one vs all. A team of people were people and one person controlled the dinosaurs trying to eat the people.
Naturally, I played the dinosaurs!
It was a fun time! However, it wasn't Carrie's style of game and she's my 'game group,' so it won't hit my wish list any time soon. I wish the guy the best, though! I understand that desire to create something and it takes a brave person to put themselves out there for criticism.
I found a silent auction and used games for sale area afterward, but it was already highly picked over. There were some things I was curious about, but they turned out to be expansions or parts of systems I didn't own. That meant I saved my money and walked away.
There was an auction underway, as well. If there was something I wanted, I didn't stick around to find out.
I probably could have stayed longer, but there were things that needed to be done. I stopped by Lowe's with a bunch of old batteries to recycle and was told "rechargeable only, please."
Then I dropped by Play it Again Sports. Shane's going to try lacrosse this spring (if you didn't already figure that out), so I needed to pick up gear. He wasn't with me, so I had to guess at sizes.
Gas and Costco were next! It was an eclectic shopping list today. Carrie wanted corn oil to help put more meat on Kitty's bones and I got enough Irish cream for a year's worth of Irish coffees and cooking.
And milk. We were low on milk.
I made it home in time for some cleaning and horse chores.
