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Little guys makes coaching soccer a kick

By Mike Camunas, Times Staff Writer
In print: Thursday, November 20, 2008

Players, from left, Kyrstin Wallen, Hunter Fugutt and Alex Hutchinson line up for the kickoff Saturday at Deltona Park.
	[CHRIS PRICE | Special to the Times]

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ADVERTISEMENT [CHRIS PRICE | Special to the Times] The Swarm’s Jimmy Hurd makes a run for the goal at YMCA soccer event. Loading Video...

Brett Waggoner says he's just having a good time.

While coaching a team of 3- to-5-year-olds in the YMCA Hernando Branch's soccer league, Waggoner can't help but smile.

"It's really a lot of fun," said the coach of the Titans, whose 3-year-old daughter is on the team. "They have no expectations coming out and they're just looking to have fun. Coaching here is really minimal because it's really more about encouraging them."

With team names such as the Grasshoppers, Sharks, the Force and the Swarm, most teams turn into one big mass chasing after the ball, which can be humorous. Throughout the game, score is not kept, and sometimes players cry, usually, according to Waggoner, because they are tired or hungry or maybe soccer just isn't their thing.

But then again, they're just kids, barely out of the terrible twos. So, that's where the coaches come in, making sure the players are encouraged to get exercise and learn the game the right way. With YMCA putting on the games, which Waggoner says is "done right with everything behind the scenes to make things go smooth", coaching is more than a nice chuckle.

It gives back.

"I think it is fun for the coaches," Waggoner said, "and it's definitely rewarding seeing the stuff in practice put into the game, like a kid dribbling 20 feet or so and not losing it to another player or getting off a good shot.

"We really just want to build character with them."