I’ve been playing soccer since I was 5 years old. I played rec ball, traveled on a club team, and even played a bit in high school. To the detriment of my knees, I still play twice a week. So, as a dad of two girls it was only a matter of time for me to take up the whistle, run some drills, and coach the beautiful game. I tried to fight it for a few years, but I knew deep down I was destined to be Coach Jeff.
I coach the Red Lightning, my daughter Ella’s under 8 soccer team through Idlewild Presbyterian Church. While it’s an absolute blast and the girls and I have already learned so much from each other, practicing every week and playing a game every Saturday is hard and demanding work. Especially amid busy work schedules and other extracurricular activities. Thankfully, the heat appears to have finally broken and fall is finally here, making it a bit easier to get these girls to listen up.
The girls are great and they push every button in the book, but they are teaching me the importance of just being a part of something and having fun. At this age, you don’t have to be good or driven, you just have to be a kid. While I type this in early October, the Red Lightning are 0-3 with a couple of tough matches on the upcoming schedule, but who cares? As long as we have good snacks, cheer each other on, and try hard, we will go undefeated this year no matter what the score. To be honest, my girls are probably more excited about the end-of-year party replete with medals, burgers, and ice cream! Full disclosure, I’m also excited about this end-of-year tradition.
All in all, the girls are slowly but surely grasping the rules and improving each week. It’s the little things that I see. Like when Ella goes to the ball rather than waiting for it to come to her. Or when Alma stays on her feet when giving the ball a good whack. We’ve even put together a few passes and scored a few goals. I’m witnessing the things that brought me close and connected me to this game. Not to mention I get to spend quality time with my daughter every week, just me and her. Although, I should probably stop getting roped into going out for treats every week after practice. Mom definitely disapproves of this trend.
Some of my fondest memories of playing soccer as a kid were the trips my dad and I would take with my traveling team. One weekend we’d be in Jackson, Mississippi, vying for the Magnolia Cup, while the next weekend we’d be in Nashville getting ousted by much better competition. One tournament I broke my collarbone before a match, but I mostly remember the team dinners and goofy hijinks with my teammates. It was fun, and winning wasn’t everything.
If you ask my wife or fellow soccer friends, they will tell you that I’m one of the most competitive players out there when I hit the pitch. I yell, I gripe, I fight to win every game. I can be a real pain in the you-know-what, but I’m also a good teammate. Aside from the fundamentals of passing, shooting, moving to space, and not using your hands, this is what I’m most trying to convey to my team this year.
Alongside Coach Dan and Coach Zack, a rousing cheering section of parents, siblings, and extended families, the Red Lighting have gotten better, and no matter what our record says, we’ve already won in my book.
Jeff Hulett is married with two daughters and lives in Midtown. He tells lots of dad jokes.