Coaches love their own voices

Coaches love their own voices. I’m no different. We tend to think that we always deserve the undivided attention of our team….but it’s not always so easy. During a recent demonstration to 8 year olds about proper heading technique*** I was interrupted by a player with a question.

Me: Now adjust your body to prepare for the ball and look the ball toward your target. Use your forehead and not…

Player: I have a question

Me: Yes, what is it?

Player: You don’t have any hair! (Uproarious laughter from the other 20 eight year olds)

Me: That doesn’t sound like a question to me.

Player: OK then….Why don’t you have any hair?

Me: Does this have anything to do with heading the ball?

Player: My last coach said to head with your hairline. How do you know where to head it if you don’t have a hair line?

Me: I can still remember where my hairline used to be! Can we get back to heading now?

Player: Why do you shave your head?

Me: Why don’t you shave yours?

Player: I’m only 8 (more laughing)

Me: THAT’S NO EXCUSE!!! (even more laughing) Alright…Alright…Alright..… Let’s scrimmage

Players: woohoo!!!!!

Moral of the story: Never overestimate the importance of your voice and never underestimate the power of the scrimmage. And always be prepared for questions about your coif.

*** Heading activities at this age are done with under-inflated balls at very short distances to learn the proper contact point and other technical details. This will prepare them for the occasional head ball that happens in a U-9 game without risking injury or causing a bad experience with the process.

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