Maddy's Sports Class

Last month I signed Maddy up for a class at the YMCA. It was supposed to go over basic skills for t-ball, soccer, and basketball--mainly throwing, kicking, dribbling, and hitting a ball. The class turned out to be a little more advanced than that, and it's been a struggle some days to get her to listen. However, I do think she has had some fun in there.

Yesterday was a typical day at the class. Surprisingly, there were only three kids there. The coaches had set up goals and cones to practice soccer. They really wanted the kids to dribble the ball back and forth and planned on trying to steal the ball from some of the kids if they were ready.

Little Boy C--A four and a half year old getting ready to start another season of soccer (his third, I believe). He dribbled the ball back and forth with his feet, and was really excited when one of the coaches started trying to get the ball. He was also pretty good at blocking some of the easier shots into the goal.

Little Girl A--A three and a half year old with no soccer experience. She doesn't know how to dribble, but she really enjoys kicking the ball. She chased and kicked the ball around for a good portion of the class.

Here's how Madalynn spent sports class:

• ran in and out of the cones for a while
• kicked the ball maybe three times
• took a water break
• looked for her pretend kitty under the bleachers
• tried to get Little Girl A to play princess with her
• pretended she was a teacher and had circle time in the middle of one of the cone set-ups
• kicked the ball back and forth with me
  
• ran through the cones some more
• tried to get one of the coaches to play ring around the rosie
• practiced some pilates moves on the soccer ball
• took another water break
• kicked the ball with a coach for a few minutes
• ended class with the class cheer

If nothing else, this class has convinced me that she's not ready to play soccer. She does a little better with t-ball, but not by much. She's just much more into freeplay and make-believe right now.

The class ends next week, and I'm glad. The last day they're going to have a little party for the kids so Maddy's looking forward to that. And I'm looking forward to no more sports for a little while.