I run up to midfield when the ball goes down to the other end and try to act like I know what I'm doing. I thought the purpose of soccer camp was to teach you to be a better player, not just run up and down the field in games.... In baseball, basketball, and football, I've always been pretty good. I never paid much attention to the kids who weren't. Now I'm one of those. A spinning ball comes my way. It takes an awkward bounce and is about to go over my shoulder. Instinctively, I stick my hand out to stop it. "Hand ball. Hand ball," everybody yells at once. "You can't use your hand," one of the little guys scowls at me. I turn away. Like I don't know that. I walk over by Isaac as the other team lines up for a free kick. A mosquito buzzes my ear, and I wave it away. "I hate playing defense," I say. "It feels like everything is coming at me way too fast." Excerpted from Eyes on the Goal by John Coy All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.
