Tackle Football

The boys recently started Tackle Football.  They've been wanting to do something like this for a while.  We started receiving information about it around January or February, signed them up in April, and they finally started practicing about 3 weeks ago.

We've had some ups and downs with Zane.  The first day they practiced with their pads, Zane had a Dr. appointment, so we went to practice afterwards. I saw him practice a great tackle and get some big high fives from the coach, and then I spent the rest of the time talking to one of the coach's wives, and I missed the rest.  He came out of practice and was practically in tears.  He was upset because he kept getting tackled and knocked to the ground.  The coaches and their wives were telling us that the kids were going to complain and some would want to quit, but to keep having them come, because it will get better. 

After that first day with the pads, Andy helped Zane out a bit, and so he was doing much better.  He didn't love the practices, but he was going without any problems, and he was trying.

Ryan has been very enthusiastic.  He's a small kid compared to most of the rest of the team.  There are probably only about 5 kids that are in the 60-75lb. range, and the rest are more, and they even go up to about 145.  But he loves tackling.  He keeps talking about who he tackles, and who he is up against.  He is having fun.

So today was the big day.  First game.  Zane was first.  He had a 9am game, and had to be there an hour early for warmups.  Andy took him, and I got to sleep in a little, and then Delaney, Ryan & I got there before the game started.  We sat by good friends of ours, who actually have a son that is on the opposing team.  It was kind of funny to be cheering at different times.  But then there were times that we were both cheering at the same time, and I was cheering because our team had a great run, but she was cheering, because someone on their team had a great tackle.  Or vice versa.

Zane's team ended up winning, and after they had their big pow wow after the game, all the new players for the year got "orientation".  They had to lay on the ground in a row, and the coaches came and poured the water all over them.  It was a hot day though, so I'm sure it was very refreshing. 

Zane had a blast.  He was so happy.  He played Safety for most of the time.  But I am so glad that he enjoyed himself.  I did get a picture of him after the game. 

Ryan's team played about an hour after Zane's team, so we had to stick around.  Actually, Andy drove home with Zane and got him changed, and brought some sunscreen, powerade, and some more iced tea for me.  Next time I will have to remember sunscreen and Andy will have to remember the larger cooler of ice water.  It was really hot.  I ended up getting a little too much sun.

Ryan's team lost.  They got laid into a little bit for not paying attention to the plays.  They did get a touchdown, but the coaches said it wasn't the play they had called.  Oops.  They also got the "Orientation."  Ryan enjoyed that.  We brought drinks - we found Powerade on sale at Jewel for $.50 each for the big 32oz. bottles.  I think with how hot it was, it's a good thing that we had such big bottles.  After that, we headed home.  I didn't get Ryan's picture until we got home.

What a fun day!