Soccer is Life

By: Lisa B (Grade 8) Athlete and Sparta Fan

There are many players in the game of Life as well as soccer. In comparing the two, I have come to the conclusion that I am a halfback'. In soccer a halfback is always running back and forth helping both the forwards and defence. Scoring goals at one end, and stopping them at the other, always in the heat of the action. That relates to me because I am constantly involved in different activities, and switching back and forth between them.

Your team mates are your peers, or your friends, the ones you see and interact with each and every day. They help you succeed and you help them. Without them, it would be like you against the world, every game. You pass to them, and each of you is part of a well-oiled machine (well we'd all like to think that our own team is at least!).

The referee is like your conscience. Your conscience watches life, like the referee would watch the game. Making calls, or keeping you in line, distinguishing good from bad. Sometimes you make good calls, and sometimes you make bad calls, which affects the outcome of the game. You could make a bad decision, to lead you down the wrong path. Or vice versa, you could make a good decision, which would land you in good places.

The coaches are the people that give you advice and tips on how to play the game. They show you plays, drills, advice, and tips. To me, these are like my parents and God. My parents share their experiences, good and bad, to help me to make my own decisions.

Although, sometimes, they can give bad or wrong advice, which will slow you down. God shows me the way. also helping me make decisions, about life. Sometimes the coach will call a time out to re-organize the team. This is similar to re-arranging your life, making a list of priorities, and then doing them.

The spectators are the people who are on the sidelines. They don't necessarily play a big role in your life, but they do have a big impact on the way you play your game. If the fans are cheering your way, it is easy to feel self-confident, and not feel stressed. If the tables are turned though, it is very hard to concentrate without anyone backing you up.

Warm-ups and cool-downs are especially important in soccer, since it is to insure that you do not get an un-wanted injury. As it is in life. You need to prepare and clean up in whatever you are doing. If you are unprepared for either life, or a soccer game, you will more than likely fail. So in both scenarios, you must plan ahead.

Injuries slow you down. They are the obstacles that come in your way, and set you back. Although there is always something good to come out of everything, an injury gives you time to reflect and re-assess your strategies. This also helps to see what mistakes your team makes, and to help the whole team by telling them, and helping them work on them. In life, you need to look over your goals and lifestyle once in a while. Although an injury may not be the cause of this extra downtime.

At times you may be benched. That is when you have made a mistake and your coach thinks you need time to re-think your actions, before you can go back into the game. This may be caused because of tardiness, a bad attitude, or other things along those lines.

The opposite team, the people who are going for the same goal as you. Everyday you are competing with someone (or something) for what you want. The opposing team represents that thing.

Wins, Losses, Ties are the only three outcomes. These outcomes are compared to create standings, and find out who is competing for the championship. Like any good thing in life, you are rewarded, with a trophy, medal or plaque. Losses aren't so bad though; they show you where you made your mistakes and help you improve by learning from them.

The score is very important in soccer. It decides how hard you have to work, what plays you are going to do, and who is going to play. In life, you need to know what is going on before you jump into it. By knowing the score you can come up with a plan of action, and be well prepared for the next half.

Rules in soccer can relate easily to the ones in life. Once you've learned them and have used them, you are used to them. There are boundaries, lines that you can not exceed or else you will get called, and the other team will get the ball. How the ball goes back in, depends on where the ball was taken out at. Certain calls have more severe punishments for their actions. Such as giving the other team a throw in, to giving them a corner kick, to giving them a penalty shot. It is good for your team when they make a mistake, but bad for you when you make a mistake. So mistakes are punished. Only the goalie can touch the ball with their hands, and if any other player does (unless it is outside the playing field) you will get called. Pushing and rough play is not allowed; that is to ensure that every player, on both teams, have equal opportunity to win.

As you can see with both life and soccer you need training, a good coach, perseverance and hard work. Without those things, you are not reaching life's full potential.