For those who grew up playing soccer remember it being your life 24/7, 365 days a year... from the fall, winter, spring and summer it was constant training, working out, practices, or camps. Sure, being an athlete all year long was hectic, and 100% of a commitment, but you wouldn't have had it any other way.
For all of those that played soccer here are some things that were the norm:
1. You started playing rec league when you were 4 or 5 years old, but then upgraded to travel ball as you got older.
When you were little you got so excited when you scored a goal, only to realize later on, that you scored on your own goal for the other team.... I can't tell you how many times this happened!
2. When your teams favorite song came on the speakers at games.
3. The one thing we all dreaded: "Get on the line".
I don't know about anyone else but hearing those words come out of my coaches mouth was never a good sign. You could hear some of my team mates muffle a few things under their breath while walking up to the line.
4. Finishing pre season & ice baths were the icing to the cake.
Pre season whether you liked it or not happened and it was always a fun time wasn't it? That is complete sarcasm, but it had to be done . I remember one night after pre season my team and I had fit at least 6 of us into the huge wash pail. Needles to say, it was pretty funny laughing about it trying to make it work.
5. Playing in towns you've never even heard of.
This happened a good amount with traveling all over for games. Some of them were small towns in the middle of no where.
6. NO matter how much you lifted, your legs were always muscular.
7. Soccer tennis was one of the best games your team played for fun.
8. Weekend hotel adventures
Who all loved having tournaments for the weekend out of state or a couple hours away? Our team always had a good times hanging out in between games, going back to the hotel to swim or just goof off and have fun.