What My Son Taught Me About Soccer at 6:30 AM in Spain

Last year, we traveled to Spain for a youth tournament where my son played on a select team made up of players from across the United States. They faced academy teams from some of Europe’s top clubs.

Going in, a lot of the parents said the same thing. “This will be a great learning experience.” And it was, but not in the way many of us expected.

The U.S. boys were skilled and athletic. They worked hard. But it was obvious from the start that the European teams had something else.

They played with unity. They stayed calm under pressure. They communicated and moved as one group with a clear understanding of their roles. Our boys looked like individuals trying to figure things out as they went. And it showed.

The quiet moment that stuck with me

After the final match, most of the team packed up and moved on.

But my son did something different. He went to his coach and asked if they could talk one-on-one. He wanted feedback. Honest feedback.

The coach said yes and told him to meet the next morning at 6:30 in the hotel lobby. It was the day we were flying home.

I walked my son down early that morning. The coach arrived right on time. I left them to talk and went for a walk by the beach.

They ended up sitting together for over an hour.

When I came back, they were still talking. I grabbed a coffee and waited. Eventually, they both came over to say goodbye. The coach said my son was a great listener and that he could tell he took the conversation seriously. That was enough for me.

What changed

Back home, a few days after the trip, I asked my son what he wanted to focus on for the season.

He didn’t hesitate.

“I want to work on my skills by myself. I need to figure things out on my own. But I want to watch more games with you.”

That told me everything.

It wasn’t about needing more coaching. It was about taking ownership.

Why we created BallSlayer

This is exactly the kind of mindset we had in mind when we created the BallSlayer Journal.

We didn’t make it to tell kids what to do. We built it to give them structure, focus, and a way to reflect on their own progress.

Because the difference between kids who play and kids who grow into real players is not just about drills or tournaments.

It’s about showing up for yourself. Staying curious. Taking notes. Learning from each moment. Even the hard ones.

Sometimes, the biggest step forward happens quietly. At 6:30 in the morning. When no one else is watching.

If your child is ready to lead themselves, the BallSlayer Journal is here to support that journey.

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