When another teacher at Innovate Academy asked me to help coach our 1st ever co-ed soccer team, I didn't have high expectations.

The kids looked smaller to me (says every older person ever). I didn't spot any cold-blooded athletes. Heck, we didn't even know if we'd get enough kids to play and don't have our own field or even a goal to practice with.

Even though the turnout was so high we couldn't take every player to every game, I still thought we'd be lucky to win half the games. After all, half the kids have never played soccer before!

Through seven games we are undefeated, with one remaining test this Thursday.

The soccer season has reminded me of a few key lessons:

𝟏. 𝐇𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐅𝐔𝐍! Some of our kids play in other camps and clubs, but the parents say they love our team because we let the kids play. There's no endless drilling, in fact, we only work on one small adjustment per practice and then mostly just play.

𝟐. 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡. We're fortunate to have an outstanding coach in Heather McEneaney. She's in the West Chester University Soccer Hall-of-Fame, has a United States Soccer Federation "C" coaching license, and coached four Olympic Development teams. We don't tolerate talking back to the coach, other players, or the ref, or goofing off on the bench. If a player makes a big mistake, like a poor throw-in, or lack of hustle, we pull the player.

𝟑. 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐎𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬. We encourage the more talented players to lift up the weaker ones. It's amazing to see it in action, like giving up a chance for a penalty kick to let another get the experience.

𝟒. 𝐍𝐨 𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭. The time with my kids and their friends, at practice, driving to games, on the pitch, competing, showing our faith in action, it is invaluable. I'm so grateful for the experience, and that I have the time to do it. The fruits of this labor may not be visible now, but I trust seeds are being planted and watered and that this is exactly where God wants me to give my time.