Vasik as a footballer
At my local football field, I discussed with the coaches the possibility of Vasik joining the team.
I emphasized that Vasik comes from an anti-football family. No one plays football, no one talks about it at home, and no one watches it on TV. So he doesn't know the rules and basically doesn't even know what to do on the field.
Everyone explained to me that football isn't really played at the first practices. It's rarely even about training with the ball, and everything happens through games and movement activities. I got the number of the coach who leads Vasik's category, and we went to buy sneakers.
We agreed with the coach to give it a try. He was very nice on the phone. But when we arrived at the field, instead of a coach, there was a female coach and a football match was just taking place.
There was some chatter among the dads, coaches, and older kids about something other than Vasik. The coach noticed the young children who had their first practice, included them in the game, and told me to let him play.
She was very kind and didn't pressure anyone, so I tried sending Vasik among the twenty running children and adults.
He didn't hesitate for a second and ran after them.
I thought he would come back in a minute because he wouldn't know what to do. But he quickly understood that he just needs to run with the others, and returned only after the game ended with the ball at his feet.
I was incredibly proud of him. His courage and fearlessness literally knocked the wind out of me. I really didn't expect that. He even kicked the ball towards me a few times.
After the game ended, his first real training followed. For another hour and a half, he ran among the cones, exercised, and learned through play.
Only when the female coach came over to us did it become clear that she had no idea that Vasik was a complete beginner. She didn't know that this was his first training and essentially his first encounter with football. She praised him a lot and gave him a high-five.
Children really can surprise with their abilities and skills.
I'm curious if Vasik will enjoy football. He has two trainings a week now. But that's not really the point.
I'll be happy if he joins any activity that interests him. But today I realized something else. That he is ready. That he is brave. And that he is a completely trouble-free boy who can handle even an environment that is completely new to him.