Soccer is the world’s most popular sport. In most countries it is called football. For some (mostly Americans), they just don’t get it. For others (myself included), I love watching and playing soccer.
When I was in high school at Middletown Christian School I started varsity soccer all 4 years. I played every position, including goalie. The school gave out 4 soccer trophies at the end of the year (Most Improved, Best Defense, Best Offense, and MVP). I received 3 trophies in 4 years, including MVP as a senior.
Tom Cruise
A little known fact: I played soccer against Tom Cruise… ‘Risky Business’ ‘Top Gun’ ‘Mission Impossible’ Tom Cruise. I played for Middletown Christian High School and he played for St. Francis in Cincinnati back in the late 70s. We always played them twice a year. So, I guess I played against Tom Cruise (known then as Tom Mopather). I’m sure he was a nice guy, but I don’t really remember him.
Later I coached all my children in soccer – YMCA and Junior High.
As a player and a coach I learned 4 valuable lessons that have helped me in life.
1. Teamwork
Soccer is a game of 11 players. The key to my success was working with other team members. My best friend, Marty Cottle, was one of my best teammates. But sometimes we would have a ‘ball hog.’ Usually this was a talented player who thought he could dribble through a defense. He refused to pass and often got the ball stolen.
Life is a team event. We need to learn to work together. If you can’t work with others, you’ll probably be working alone most of the time. Teamwork is vital in work, family and church. You win as a team!
Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. (Ecclesiastes 4:9)
2. Preparation
I wasn’t a talented soccer player. My best asset was I was a fast runner. So, I usually got to the ball first, or would kick the ball down the field and run to catch up to it. I was fast because on off-days I would run 3-5 miles a day. I prepared for the game. Even as a goalie (not much running), I remember going to a local school and kicking the ball against the wall and trying to catch the ricochet. Our coach would say, ‘The way you play in practice is the way you’ll play in the game.’
Even though life has no off-days, you still need to prepare for what’s ahead. I prepare for my day with prayer and Bible reading. It gets my head and heart pointed in the right direction.
For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the Lord, and to do it (Ezra 7:10)
3. Perspective
When I was a goalie I could see the entire field. I could see if someone was out of position, or if a player was wide open. I became the ‘coach on the field.’ As a coach, I was concerned with all the positions so I could coach the team.
In life, I can easily get caught up in my own little world. Often, I need a bigger perspective to help me get a grip on what I’m doing and how it relates to others. I get perspective from my wife and others. But really, God gives me the best perspective. He sees it ALL. In the Bible, God will help you see everything in its proper perspective.
“From heaven the LORD looks down and sees all mankind” (Psalm33:13)
4. Communication
As a position player, it was hard to keep my eye on the ball and on the other team. Too much going on. So our team had some verbal signals. ‘Man on your right’ meant there was a defensive player to your right. ‘Man open on your right’ meant there was a teammate open on your right. ‘Drop’ meant there was a teammate behind you who was open. Talking helped us know how to play the game more effectively.
Communication is key to any relationship. You have to talk openly, honestly and often. The excuse ‘I’m just a quiet person’ is not going to help. When communication dies, the relationship dies. Keep talking.
“Speak the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15)
Have you learned any life lessons from the game of soccer?
You can read some of my similar posts: Do your past hurts still hurt? 3 Lessons from the Buckeyes Championship Game, Baseball & Christianity – 5 Similarities, The Most Exciting Play in Baseball.