Equipment, defeat and the end of Spring Soccer

Yesterday saw the last action for the Lawrence Adult Soccer League, with rain-out games played for all teams. While the spring saw decent weather, yesterday previewed what is to come in the summer: 90 degrees and humid. That said, I will not be partaking in the summer, as another team member said: I will be useless running in this heat and humidity. Teams are smaller and so is the field during the summer session, and I will pick it up again in the fall.

The two topics I will mention today are defeat and equipment. The league I play in is perfect for my skill level, low for my competitive level. I wish I could say that I play in one of the higher leagues, and that I am successful in one of those leagues. Last fall, I scored six goals and eight assists in six games, yet this spring, I only scored once (maybe twice, I cannot remember now), and had five assists. This is part of the problem with competition and success: when you taste success, you want to maintain it. Our team overall played very well this spring, better than last fall. And yet I have a sense of loss, because I could not maintain my successful level of play. Certainly, a bounce here and there, and (let me count them...) I would have scored six more legitimate, maybe seven, goals, and I would be content. We play in a league that does not keep record of wins and losses, so it really is the team that matters. However, I judge my play on how well I perform. Whether that is an amazing pass (that leads to nothing), a great corner (that floats out of bounds), or a simple goal... I judge myself, as in any sport I play, on whether it lived up to my standards. And this season, after my past success, did not live up. Alas, I have fall to look forward to, and to prepare for.

However I will need a new pair of boots. The heal of my left boot has broken off, and after a season of games, my left foot is now hurting. All the more apparent after the game yesterday and into today, where a bruise has formed on my left heal. Thus the importance of wearing the correct equipment. I imagine that the majority of injuries comes from improper equipment, at least in soccer. But it can happen in many sports. Think of someone who just goes running daily. The must replace their shoes every few months. What happens is the sole of the shoe will wear unevenly, depending on your stride. After weeks of running on inadequate shoes, you run the risk of injury to your legs, because your body warps to the contour of the shoe. Me missing a cleat on the heal, put extra force on the outside of my foot, which is now bruised. A softball bat that is too heavy will strain the arm, a worn basketball shoe will slip. So it is important, before every season, and during the season, that we all take a look at our equipment, and make sure that we are not in danger of injury, which will prolong and allow us to enjoy sports for much longer.

- Tom.