Have you ever played soccer before? Have you ever wondered what it is like to play soccer? Have you ever played for your school? Well, I will be interviewing Briana to know how it is to play soccer for the school and what it is like to play soccer in general.

Q-How was it to play soccer for middle school?

A-It’s was fun. I had a good time. I got to learn more techniques about soccer which helped me improve and I always had people cheering on me even when I felt like I wasn’t doing so good. The team and the coaches were very supportive and always believed in me.

Q-Was it hard or easy to play for middle school?

A-I think it was hard, and also a little bit easy. But it was more hard than easy. The reason why I think it was easy was because a lot of it was review for me. However, the reason it was hard was because of the new skills I learned, working with new people, and going against other people that have more experience and have played longer. Also, trying to get better at things and ways to improve my skills because I didn’t really know how.

Q-Did you learn anything from the coaches?

A-Yes, I would say I did learn more. I learned how to maintain the ball better, how to defend the ball more, and how to stay on the person that has the ball and taking it away.

Q-Did you make new friends while playing for the middle school?

A-I made a lot of friends in grades that were lower and higher than me.

Q-What was the biggest challenge you faced while playing for the Emporia Middle School?

A- The biggest challenge I think was trying to teach the new soccer players on how to do things since it was either their first year playing for the middle school or first year ever playing soccer. So sometimes I would overthink whether I was teaching them the right way and if they understood what I said or if it just made them more confused and since I’m like a shy person in the beginning when I meet someone new I feel like I don’t explain things right even more.

Q-Have you ever played for the rec before?

A-Yes I have played for the rec before.

Q-Is it harder or easier than playing for the Emporia Middle School?

A-I think it’s easier for the rec

Q-Why is that?

A-because I feel like it was less competitive than middle school, and you’re learning the basics of soccer and going against friends and people from Emporia. But when you get to the middle school, it gets more competitive. You’re going against other schools that have been playing a lot longer with the same teammates, you’re learning more skills, getting even more pushed to do better, and I feel like your team is more reliant on you.

Q-Did you learn anything new while playing for the rec?

A-The rec. I learned the basics like how to kick the ball correctly, how to throw the ball in when the ball gets out, how to dribble, and figuring out which position I like the most and would like to play more often

Q-Did you make new friends while playing for the rec?

A-I would say no because I was a lot more shy when I was little, so when I had to work with someone different I wouldn’t really talk to them unless they talked to me first. If they asked me a question, I would answer it and not say anything after. And after the soccer season ended I wouldn’t talk to any of them ever again.

Q-What keeps you motivated to keep playing soccer?

A-I’m not really sure what keeps me motivated to keep playing soccer, it’s just my passion for it. I grew up to really like soccer. I guess what keeps me motivated is to get better at it, help others improve, and trying to convince people to try soccer and being able to meet new people and make friends.

Q-How long have you played soccer for?

A-I’ve been playing since I was seven so for seven years

Q-What soccer position is your favorite?

A-My favorite position is Defense

Q-Why is defense your favorite soccer position?

A-It’s my favorite position. This may sound a little mean but it’s because I get to shove people around with a purpose and I get to be one of the reasons why the soccer ball didn’t get into the goal.

Q- What do you recommend while playing soccer?

A-Start young, learn the basic skills first, and then, when you feel ready, start working on other skills you would like to learn. Always be open to advice, and when you play pay attention to the ball and the person that has it and don’t push yourself to the point you could get hurt but keep on pushing yourself; but be careful where you don’t get hurt.

First of all thank you Briana for this interview. Do you think soccer changes people’s lives? Do you think others play soccer for different reasons?I hope you learned more from this interview with Briana. If you would like, you should go try out for soccer. There is spring soccer for the rec and you can also have a chance to try out for the Emporia middle school next school year.