Observations at Practices and Preseason Games

Friday David and I went to Jasper's football practice, and today was his first game. It was a preseason game, and his first game that counts is next Saturday. He is so excited. The practices are long and hot but he loves them. It is fun to watch all the 8-9 year old boys, and how much fun they are having. Kid watching can be the most entertaining form of people watching there is.



Since their game was the next day, their coach kept going over plays again and again. It would be so hard to coach kids Jasper's age, they lose interest quickly and are so easily distracted. When the coach catches someone talking when he's supposed to be listening, or goofing off, he yells "Drop and give me 5 push ups!" and the kid quickly obeys. I've about doing that at home, but somehow I doubt I would get such an obedient and willing response out of Jasper at home.



Anyway, as I was watching the practice I noticed some pretty funny things.



As the coach was going over a play, a few kids that were on the sidelines but were still supposed to be paying attention, started talking smack and telling "Yo mama's so ugly" jokes. Most of them were actually, "yo mama's so hairy" jokes instead.



When there were still about 20 minutes left of practice, the "coach mother" pulled out some treats that she'd be giving each kid as they left, some oversized pixy stix. I heard one boy tell another "PIXY STIX, LOOK!" And then the field was a buzz with every kid telling the other that they'd get pixy stix soon. They missed everything the coach said and had to drop and give 5 push ups.



My favorite part of the practice came as the coach was giving his final huddle pep talk.



Coach: "The game starts tomorrow morning at 9 am. You must all be here at 8 am!"

Kid 1: "What if we're here at 8:30?"

Kid 2: "I usually sleep in until 10:40."

Kid 3: "What if we forget and sleep in?"

Frustrated Coach: "If you aren't here at 8, you won't play! If you sleep in until 10:40, you won't play, if you forget, you won't play!"

Kid 4: "What time again?"





Last night as Jasper was getting ready for bed, he came into my room brushing his teeth. He was so excited for today's game he was dancing and singing. He said to me (somehow I was able to decipher it though his mouth was filled with toothpaste) "I can't wait for tomorrow, we're gonna KILL Cottonwood!" I gave him five and then he tried to fist bump me, but I totally missed the fist.



The game came and went. Jasper's team was amazing and won 19-0. They were all so happy! Jasper played well and even tackled the running back twice! Watching kids play football is much more entertaining than watching the NFL. I even enjoyed it!



I promise I'll fix my camera soon. It won't upload, but I got some great action shots.