Jack’s Fall Soccer Season

This fall, Jack switched from playing soccer at the Y to playing with Charlotte Soccer Academy.  He’s playing in the recreational league, but we switched because the location’s very convenient and they have a lot of training opportunities.  I honestly think at this point that the rec league isn’t much different than the Y soccer programs, but if Jack continues his interest in soccer, maybe the opportunities will be greater through CSA.

Regardless, Jack had an awesome soccer season this fall.  His focus and intensity have really grown—he hardly ever gets distracted during a game like a lot of other boys his age.  Jack hustles like nobody else and is, within his position, wherever the ball is.  I love watching Jack play and hope his love for the sport sticks around.  He really does have a natural knack for it with great ball handling skills.  One thing that was holding him back in previous seasons was not being able to really boot the ball, kick it really hard.  He’d set himself up for a goal but then couldn’t get a hard enough kick to shoot it into the goal.  This year, however as you’ll see form the pictures, he worked hard to develop his kick.  He can shoot it pretty nicely and his aim is getting better and better.  Jack had an awesome coach and a great team this year—several kids were really into it and by the end of the season they had really learned to work together and pass (not only did Jack have many goals this season, but he also had several assists).  It was fun to watch his games each Saturday morning and we’re looking forward to another season starting back up in March.  Here are some pictures from just a few of his games in September and October (it rained a game or two, so no pictures from those, and I missed his very last game because I was photographing a wedding)—these are some good highlights, though.


{goal!!!}

{and he’s off for another…}

{this kid is all in.  the other kid landed on jack making jack do a face-plant into the grass.  jack came up with chunks of grass in his hair, laughing so hard.  he’s really having the time of his life out there.}


{another game, another goal.}

{check out those moves.  :) }

{and a breakaway goal.}

{the little dude’s fast.}

{and there’s the hat trick.  go jack!}


{i love this series—look at those big kids jack worked his way through to score a goal.  one was even grabbing jack’s arm at one point.}

{this picture just sums it all up—look at that smile and intensity.  this kid couldn’t be having a greater time.}