BLIND SOCCER IS A THING.
We recently had the pleasure of attending a blind soccer clinic in Millcreek Wa, participants could join and experience playing blind, while other champs/ competitive athletes who are blind were also there, helping with drills and Coaching both sighted and non sighted players. All ages and backgrounds/levels got to participate so we had fun working with them.
Coach Cody, a long time blind player and organizer, is very comfortable on the field while explaining the drills. His skills are fluid and amazing. The soccer balls rattle, and he explained that one of the commands they use to let other players know they are coming is VOY, a Spanish verb that indicates coming or going, so that blind players know where another player is for safety. It is a universally recognized command and it works really well, we also use it for acrobatics when we drop or do partner work tricks.
Daniel and I got to work with Cole, an enthusiastic Goalee who is sighted, but wanted to do the clinic as a blind participant. Cole has another disability, but this didn’t stop him from giving 110! He is fun, upbeat and will try any challenge. He did express some difficulty in the drills that were unfamiliar, but by the time we finished he was balancing on a ball like a Kung Fu master, blindfolded!
HEROES & WARRIORS
Coach Joslynn got started with the organization she’s running at a very young age as a volunteer and created USABA. Joslynn’s dedication and drive to give everyone the best possible experience, bright personality and attitude makes it easy to learn soccer from a different perspective. She then founded her organization and has worked very hard for this on behalf of the blind.
She helped Daniel and I coach on the field at the event, and she also has a consulting biz, Eastside Timbers Soccer Club in Oregon. I got to speak with her Photographer, and proud mom, Holly, who explained her struggles that became overall triumphs in her growing career. Holly also spoke about having regular people try canes, power chairs and crutches. Their milestones and love for helping the sport, show a real need for more people like this in all our communities.
The other founders, and champions of the sport were also there, explaining their goals for FIFA , and how this journey has started for them. There were not just blind people there, others with disabilities showed up and showed major skill on the field!
Overall, Everyone should try or volunteer for blind soccer. Doing anything that enables you to experience how one would do it with any considered obstacle, is better support for our brothers and sisters who want to score big and play hard! Y POR ESO VOY!!!!
Check out our reel in the videos section and Stay tuned for MORE FIFA/ OAE collabs!
See ya in the next one!
T