WAY TO GO!
SUMMER!
Shasta, a 14-year-old player from Arkansas, spent her summer playing soccer and attending soccer camps. She started the summer participating in the Arkansas State Cup with her club team, traveled to Southern Regionals with the team, and then attended the regional Olympic Development Program (ODP) Camp in Montevallo, Alabama.
Hey WSW Readers!
It all comes down to summer for youth soccer players. Summer is when you test your progress as a team in your State Cup and beyond. Summer is when you stretch your limits as an individual through the ODP program or at a college soccer camp. Summer can make you...or break you...
THE TEAM EFFORT
June: Arkansas State Cup---Ft. Smith, Arkansas
Our team, the Arkansas Comets '83, has only been together for nine months. Some were players from the state champion girls' team, I came from the state champion boys' team, and the rest from two area select girls' teams. Rivals and once bitter field enemies, it took a few months for cliques to fade and old wounds to heal, but we worked through it one game at a time. Tough out-of-state competition forced us to further shed our old identities, forcing us to work together and depend on each other for support if we wanted to win games.
Our team won the Arkansas Snickers State Cup easily. The real challenge was ahead of us.
Late June: Southern Regionals---Greensboro, North Carolina
If you are from one of the states where soccer is just emerging, then you can identify with the task ahead for our team. In the past, going to regionals for Arkansas, was like a pig going to the slaughterhouse. Scores like 0-6 or 1-5 in regional play were common. Our team believed we would be contenders in Greensboro. Our regional opponents would have to work for a win against us, and we would have wins of our own.
This year, we went 2-3 against Alabama, 2-1 against Louisana, and 0-3 against South Texas - which was a victory to us, since they beat the other two teams in our bracket 5-0 and 10-0. We came away winners in our hearts. We feel we are quicky gaining ground on the other states, now able to win games in regional competition and narrow the goal differential when we lose.
The trip home was exhausting. There was a rock slide that blocked I-40 on the North Carolina/Tennessee state line. The state police re-routed traffic but Mom found an obscure route through the Appalachians which was beautiful and very winding. There was bridge or road construction most of the way home. We left at 7:30 AM on the 1st and got home at 4:30 AM on the 2nd.
THE INDIVIDUAL STRUGGLE
July: ODP Regional Camp---Montevallo, Alabama
I have a theory as a player. Never work in your comfort zone. Seek out opportunities and situations where you feel somewhat over your head and not quite sure of what you are doing. I learn best this way, thriving on the pressure and the challenge. Little did I know, my state ODP coach, Kenny, and a Rainbow Game would put this theory to the test.
I played on three teams last year, left mid-field for the Comet girls, outside midfield and forward for the Tulsa Legends, and outside midfield for the Comet boys. I would occasionally be put at defense when our team was ahead and the coach would want to give defensive players some playing time up front. Defense was the position I felt least comfortable playing. It was the position where Kenny wanted me to play during ODP. Oh NO!
Let me start by saying that I was "psyched" for Regional Camp. I had spent a year like a madwoman working alone in a racquetball court on individual ball skills and shooting technique, strength and speed development training, practicing with a Latin men's team, and guest playing with other teams. My motto, "Practice outside of practice". This year, I was going to get there. I WOULD be on that Regional ODP list when it was posted!
I had myself pumped, so prepared, so ready...but not for fullback...not for defense!! I wanted him to change his mind. This is a nightmare, right? I'll pinch myself and be an offensive player. Okay, 1-2-3 pinch!!!
I'm still a fullback.
I went through a grieving process and found myself at the acceptance stage about a week before we left for Alabama. Re-convinced that I was a good enough player to make the pool wherever they put me, I called one of my club coaches for some last minute training in defensive decision making.
Here it is! An opportunity to work outside of my comfort zone.
It took the first day to get my defensive legs firmly planted underneath me, but after that, nothing got by me. I was so focused, so in the zone during games, that when the editors of WSW, Roger and Judith, came to watch me play, I didn't even know they were there until that last five minutes of the game.
Then I had the game of my life. Kenny sent me to a Rainbow Game. This is where they combine players from different State ODP teams to play against a State ODP team. This is it! A chance to play an offensive position!! But get this, and tell me there aren't forces beyond all control working here. The Rainbow Coach puts me a center-mid...the only offensive postion I don't play on a regular basis. It didn't matter. I had so much confidence from playing defense that I could do ANYTHING!!!
I directed the team. I communicated. I created. I scored a goal. I was on fire! Everything had come together. This must be what heaven is like...I look over to find the Regional Coaches...
They're not watching the game.
They're in a circle at the corner of the field...talking. It doesn't matter. This is my moment. My state teammates and Kenny arrive mid-game and share it with me from the sidelines, affirming the moment and cheering me on. It was incredible!
It's Saturday night and in the morning the Regional Pool list will be posted. We borrow a CD player from the South Texas girls, and they tell us that the Pool list will be posted downstairs at 2 AM. Being the eager, trusting, and innocent Arkansans that we are, we believed them. All through the night, my teammate Jessie and I, would slip past Kenny, sneak down the stairs four floors below, check for the list, and report to any teammates still awake. It's 7 AM and the list is posted---in the hall of the fourth floor.
My name is not on the list.
I bury my head in my hands, unable to keep the tears from coming. I call my Mom. "It's not there, Mom. My name isn't there." I return to the room to tell my teammates that none of our names are on the list. Seeing my tear-stained face is all most need to see. They know.
But I wouldn't trade anything that happened that week to be on that list. I learned something that making the Regional Pool could never have taught me. I can play anywhere on that soccer field. You can put me anywhere, Coach, and I can get the job done. It doesn't matter where I play or who is watching because I'm selfish. I play for me. I love this game!
Thanks, Kenny!
In August, Shasta got her chance to play offense at Stanford University's Residential Camp for Grades 10-12. Shasta, who will be a freshman this fall, was selected to the camp's all-star team. In the next issue of WSW, Shasta will tell us about the Stanford Soccer Camp and share thoughts and advice from Stanford players about the recruiting process.
Shasta
© Women's Soccer World September/October 1997
| Shasta's Articles |
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Trends The Real World The "Parent Trap" Going The Distance Three Wishes Summer! Letter From Shasta Moving Mountains |
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UEFA |
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US National Team |
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and Results - News and Schedule |
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Tips From Coaches |
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Reviews |
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