An Oasis in the Snow

For those of you who read my last post, you'll know the immediate Denver Metro Area received 12-24" of snow earlier this month depending on location.  You'll also know that it hasn't been warm here since, so a lot of that snow is still around.

Which brings me to this past weekend's tournament.  I figured there was trouble when the tweets started going out on Friday morning that the schedule was "in flux."  Uh oh.  But why?  The forecast was fine, and all the fields we were scheduled are turf - surely they are plowed and ready to go?

NOPE.

So what was supposed to be 3 games on Saturday for me (2 AR, 1 CR) became 3 'short' (2x30 min) AR games for me on Sunday (my original CR game was moved to when I was not available).  Sigh.

So here's our oasis in the snow:

Oasis in the Snow - Feb 19

The good news as a result of my changes is I worked with one of our area's mentors (Grade 6 verge of Grade 5 I think).  The games ranged from U14 to U18 boys.  He has a higher 'bar' so to speak when calling fouls.  He had one non-call in his first game that generated some good discussion as I (trailing AR), he, the "lead" AR, and the 4th all had different perspectives on what happened and what we would've called!  The 'call' was on a corner kick header by the attacking team.  I saw a kid run from 10 yards and have his elbows flying when he contacted the defender (and kind of the ball).  So there was too much "in" and not enough "up" for me - i.e. I would've called a foul against the attacker.  The lesson learned, as always, is a) be in the correct position, b) wait a second or two (unless it is really obvious) to see if there's an aftermath so to speak and c) call your game.

Otherwise, my foot and knee appear sufficiently healed to work the season.  We have two weeks until the next tournament (that is if we can ever get any warm weather in here to get the snow melted!).  So I can focus on my fitness and be ready to get back into the Center.