Esotropiart

I took my new ball out to the patio for the first time this evening. To be perfectly honest, my first impression of the ball is that it is a little lopsided. It may be ever so slightly true, but I think my perception was just an issue of getting used to a different ball. I would say it has a lighter feel, like the materials used to make it are less substantial. The feeling of juggling my new Nike ball was very strange in that I felt somehow suspended between out of control and wildly in control. Normally, after a couple warm-ups, I gain a light touch and close control. I felt like my kicks were crazy, elongated and risky today, adapting to the new ball. At the same time, however, I hardly missed a crazy kick. I didn't achieve any huge numbers today, but I controlled the ball rather well even though it felt out of control. It's a hard paradox to explain. I guess I got a chance to practice some of my longer range "savie" kicks. "Savie" is what Dave and I often say when the ball goes wildly out of control, and extra effort or crazy kicks are required to save the ball. If we succeed in this, we call it "savie".

For the first time in a long time I juggled in the rain. It was strangely overcast and humid for a long time today, but it was also quite warm, and the clouds didn't seem quite willing to let loose with rain. They finally gave off a small shower, nevertheless. It was so warm that the patio instantly absorbed all the drops. The cement didn't exhibit hardly any signs of being wet. The rain was more of a refreshment than a nuisance. The only annoyance brought along was wet grass (3 feet high).

One thing I like and dislike about our backyard patio is its slightly cramped size and distracting obstacles. Usually when I am juggling to achieve numeric records, I do so in a wide, open space. If the ball goes flying out of my circle of direct influence, I still have the chance to leap in order to save it. My patio affords no such dynamics. The patio is only 9-1/2 feet by 7 feet, so I have little room to maneuver. On one side of the patio is the duplex. The opposite side has a bunch of plants that often disrupt play (and are definitely too high to jump over in a wild attempt to save the ball). The other two sides are also a little difficult to traverse, essentially limiting me to the patio's perimeter.

I like the level of focus and control these limitations impose. I must quite intentionally avoid the boundaries if I want to continue without dropping the ball. I dislike them because they have ended a great number of great volleys, some that may have bested personal records.

Todays numbers were nothing special, as I was focusing more on weird techniques (not tricks per se, but more difficult ball contact, kick height and higher speeds). Plus, I was trying to adapt to the new ball, which I think I eventually did so.