Great come back by a player this weekend

[intechpc]

Just a humorous moment from my weekend. First a little background. After having my fitness questioned by an assessor in spring of last year, I spent rest of that year and especially the off-season working out to develop both strength and cardio fitness. I"m definitely in the best shape I've been since High School. So I am kinda proud of that fact.

Anyway, in a U18 Premier match this weekend, I'm trailing play somewhere between the PA and the center circle and the white team's captain (a midfielder) is right next to me. Blue, clears the ball down field over both of our heads and we both turn and head back up the field. I ran stride for stride with him the whole way down and actually started to pull ahead, so I'm thinking damn this is pretty cool!! Nice to know I can keep up with these guys at full stride (and he was indeed at full pace as was I).

So later in the match while waiting for blue to setup a goal kick, I find myself near this player again and decide to joke with him a little. I asked him "what are you doing letting an old guy like me run stride for stride with you down the field". He didn't hesitate a second and came back with the perfect response "I figured I'd slow down and make you look good" :eek: I couldn't help but laugh out loud and had to give the kid props. I walked right into that one.

[refontherun]

I asked him "what are you doing letting an old guy like me run stride for stride with you down the field". He didn't hesitate a second and came back with the perfect response "I figured I'd slow down and make you look good" :eek: I couldn't help but laugh out loud and had to give the kid props. I walked right into that one.

I did a U17G Premier game last year. It was a mild day with a light breeze, and I felt exceptionally good once I started moving up and down the field. It was a nicely controlled passing game, and I was actually beating the ball into the attacking third most of the time. I think the girls were suprised that I seemed to be right on top of nearly every call. Frankly, considering the level, so was I.

I was standing close to one of the girls waiting for a goal kick, and she asked me, "how do you keep running up and down the field like that?" I don't ever remember what my answer was, but I wish I had your clever player's comeback in my arsenal. "I'm actually holding back to make you all look good."