Alright, so I got into this whole “Bayless Soccer” thing, and let me tell you, it’s been a ride. I’ve always been a huge soccer fan, and I figured it was time to get off my butt and actually do something about it. So, I started looking into how to join a local soccer club, specifically Bayless, ’cause it’s close to where I live.
First off, I had to figure out what the heck I was doing. I mean, I haven’t played organized soccer since I was a kid. I went online, did some digging, and it turns out, Bayless High School has this sports program, and they were having tryouts. I was like, “Okay, this is it.”
Tryout Time
I found out about the tryouts which were in mid-June, and it was open to all players. Sounded easy enough, right? Wrong! I needed to get in shape, and fast. Started jogging every day, doing some drills, kicking the ball around in the park. My neighbors must’ve thought I’d lost it.
- Getting the Info: I hit up the school’s website. Found all the details about requirements and stuff. They were pretty serious about it. It made me a bit nervous, to be honest.
- Contacting the Coach: There was no info about who the head coach is. I guess I’ll just go there and find out.
Training Days
Once I made it through the tryouts, which were a few hours and I was dead tired, by the way, the real work started. Training sessions were a whole different beast. We’re talking running, drills, scrimmages, the whole nine yards.
- First Training: Showed up, met the team. Everyone was cool, a bit intimidating, but cool. The coach laid out the plan, and we got right into it.
- Routine Drills: Every practice, it was the same grind. Passing drills, shooting drills, fitness tests. It was rough, but I could feel myself getting better.
- Scrimmages: These were my favorite. Playing against teammates, trying out new moves, getting yelled at by the coach. It was all part of the fun.
Paperwork and Fees
Now, joining wasn’t free, obviously. There were some fees involved. I saw some info online about free training for kids in different age groups, but nothing for adults. And there was also some paperwork, forms to fill out, waivers to sign, and insurance to get.
- Fees: I mean, it’s not like joining a professional team which costs tens of thousands of dollars. But I guess there will still be some expenses like uniforms and gear. I saw some stuff online about community programs and scholarships, maybe I’ll check those out later.
- Forms: Had to get a physical check-up, signed a bunch of forms saying I wouldn’t sue if I got injured. Standard stuff, but still a pain.
The Big Game
All of this led up to our first game. I was nervous as heck. We were playing against another local team, and the pressure was on. I didn’t start, which was a bummer, but I got in during the second half.
- Pre-Game Jitters: The coach gave us a pep talk. My heart was racing. I just wanted to get out there and play.
- Playing Time: When I finally got in, it was like a dream. Running, passing, even got a shot on goal, which the goalie saved, unfortunately.
- Post-Game: We lost, which sucked. But it was an amazing experience. The team was supportive, and the coach gave us some pointers for the next game.
So, that’s my Bayless Soccer journey so far. It’s been tough, tiring, but so worth it. I’ve met some great people, improved my game, and I’m actually looking forward to the next practice. If you’re thinking about joining a soccer club, just go for it. It’s a blast!
