Happy Monday Morning. Finally cooling down here is Brisbane. Was 33 degrees yesterday but cooled down nicely overnight.
Mrs Hod, Hod Jr and myself headed off yesterday at 6:30am for my sons friendly match 180 klms away. My son played awful. We've watched him go from the class of the pack that everyone admires to very average over the last few years.
During the long drive to the game, I gave a pep talk about making runs into channels and that he may have to make 6 or 7 runs before his team mates actually send him the right pass, but that's all he needs. I discussed using both feet. whilst in possession with defenders nipping at his heals to protect the ball. etc etc etc.
In one ear and out the other. His lack of match fitness really affected his ability to do his "thing".
He did score a worldly from 25 years top left corner, but that was it.
In the car on the way home he was nearly in tears. His entire body, including his ankles, knees and back were so sore. Ay 15 y.o I explained that he needs to make some choices from here on in. At this level he can no longer come home from school, do his homework then don the head phones as he hooks up with mates and plays computer games.
Home work comes first, and then football. In our day we had no other distractions, apart from girls which eventually took me away from the game for some time.
He has a God given talent. He is seriously unbelievable, but he's now at the stage in life when ability alone is not enough. He's our 4th son to go through this, but is clearly the most talented.
The joys of father hood.
Sporting the mother of all hangovers today. Wild Turkey sweating from my pores. Big boss will be in soon so I'd better pull myself together.
Have a great day everyone and don't get too down on our Club.
Why stress about things we can't change. Nobody said being a Yid was a breeze.
Great report there Hod regards your 15 yr old, what a bad time of age, I have been there done it, seen the film, got the T shirt n Video, so truly understand the problems of Fatherhood, remember mate! to the nippers we know eff all lol!
My eldest Boy did the Martial Arts, Lau Gar kung Fu, had won his Black Belt by 15, but because of rules in that particular MA Sport he was not allowed to wear it until he was 18, that pissed him off some, I tried to explain to him its about body weight, anyway long story short at 16 he retired, jacked it in, excuse/reason I have been South Coast MA Champion for the last 5 years and Brit Champion twice, so am retiring at the top, jesus! that did my head in, but what can you do, its their life.
At 30 years old and a family in tow he started again, with both of his nippers enlisting also, only this time Kick-Boxing, has got his Black Belt + a 1st Dan now, he will be 37 next month, as you can probably see he is a born natural at MA, I just wish he had listened to me, you know the one who knows eff all, when younger.
Good luck with you lad mate, your going to need it, keep advising but not to hard, that might have been my problem. lol!