Awful Moments in Soccer - Selection #5

The Competitive Girl

While guest coaching a U13 girls practice many years ago, I was thoroughly entertained by one girl. She was tough, skillful and competitive – losing was not on her agenda. My old boss, Peter, always said, “Most of the best players hate losing more than they like winning.” This girl fit that mold.

She did have her faults. Along with her competitive edge came ridiculous lambasting of her teammates, including the following: “You should try running,” after she over hit a pass to her teammate; “better touch,” after she rifled a knee- high pass; “concentrate,” after her teammate hit a shot the keeper saved; and finally, my favorite: “get your hands out of your pockets” to a player wearing shorts without any pockets. I vowed to have a conversation with her after practice, but in the moment, I found her absurdity delightfully entertaining.

Another coach whom I didn’t know came over and stood next to me. As I giggled, I told him about the girl, her approach, and her comments.

He nodded his head and without an ounce, no, not even a milligram, of irony said, “Future Lesbian, huh?”

In genuine shock, I laughed out loud and replied, “I don’t think that’s really the equation.”