soccer
I’m actually going to be starting rec-league soccer (God help me), and came across this gem-a soccer training manual by Pele from 1976. It has this metaphysical, playful tone to it; if you’re a fan of the game at all, you’ll enjoy reading this. Here are a few of my favorite passages:
Look straight at the ball as if you were hypnotizing it.
*
If you haven’t got a ball, it’s possible to learn even with an orange, or a ball made of rolled up stockings or newspaper. I’ve even seen people practicing their control of the ball with a box of matches!*
In soccer the pass is a form of communication, transmission, participation, a link or contact. By passing, the players communicate with each other, bringing the ball from their defense area up into attack.*
Whenever I am given the chance, I like to play goalkeeper and I enjoy taking my turn in goal when training. [!]
There was another helpful guide from Pelé at McSweeney’s recently.
So, EVERYONE in our writing group is turning into a jock, now?
I am aghast and delighted.
Eduardo Galeano has a great piece on Pele in one of his essay collections — maybe We Say No — and I highly recommend his Soccer in Sun and Shadow. But then, I love everything he does (I’m not even a soccer person).
Good luck with this. I am excited to hear how it turns out.
Have fun.
Fred