They could tackle me, for them, I played two-hand touch. They were the Maryland Terrapins, and I was the big, bad (to them) West Virginia Mountaineers. I ended up winning, 28-14, though they had a very dramatic play at the end of the game. The kindergartner, on the last play of the game, ran with the ball, as he was playing quarterback, and threw a Hail Mary desparation pass to his dad, which was caught and got them 7. It was, all in all, a good game. The preschooler was crying at the end of the game because he had to go in to go to bed and stuff, he really wanted to play more, which I would have gladly obliged to do.
Yeah, but what grade are you in? 
Congrats man–especially for crushing their spirit. Kids need to know their place. I hope you threw in few good stiff-arms for emphasis.
But seriously, way to be. Bringing a smile to a child’s face is one of the few things even I can’t deconstruct; time truly well spent.
I’m gonna be the poop and call bad form, Captain. Grown-ups should always let little kids win.
I introduced a disadvantaged eight year old girl to Enid Blyton today. It’s the first book she’s ever read with chapters. As she read the first chapter aloud to me , she gradually started to add emphasis to the dialogue and giggled at the funny old-fashioned language. When I told her that the book was hers to keep she couldn’t believe it. “You mean, I can take it home and read it at home too?!”
I wish the magic faraway tree were real.
I don’t think the kids minded all that much. They seemed to have a good time.
Granted, they are young, but it’s not like they were playing for anything in particular. And I think a lot of kids would feel like they were being patronized to. I’m guessing this wasn’t any where as traumatic as Joan Crawford outswimming little Christina…
My grandma played Concentration with me from an early age, and she played it take-no-prisoners–politely, yet with silent ferocity. She never “let” me win.
And so on the occasions when I did win, the victory was all the sweeter.
I try to let them win, and I think they enjoy it either way, win or lose. They take challenge in losing. When I caught a pass from myself, I ran the other way, away from my end zone for a little bit so they could get me. Sometimes I scored, sometimes I didn’t. THe kindergartner knew the game down pat, so he played quarterback, which he’s actually pretty good at, and the preschooler played center, since he didn’t know the game as well. The preschooler really enjoyed blocking, stopping me from getting to the quarterback.
::Bill Lumberg:: I’m going to have to go ahead and sort of…disagree with you there. ::/Bill Lumberg::
There is a phrase that descibes children who’ve been allowed to ‘win’ every game they’ve ever played–narcissistic, self-entitled brats. Let 'em win sometimes, sure, but make sure they know how to lose without throwing a f------ fit as well.
Besides, have you ever seen a kindergartener try to complete a pass to a pre-schooler? 
Raspberry, NOT Rhubarb–well done also. Am I correct in supposing you’re part of some mentoring organization? If so, which one?
I accept your position, and for older kids, I agree, but even I (and I have no great use for children of any age, frankly) feel that *little * kids (which I specified) should get the W.
Point taken about the pass-completion skills, though. 
Did they get you down–a full tackle? I loved having lil ones “tackle” me. Did you play with a nerf football or a real one? Did they get to do an endzone dance o’ victory?
Good on you for letting them score. I think they were probably more upset that the game ended, rather than the score. It’s older kids who get hung up on winning.
My Dad always beats my sons in chess. IMO, he is jerk for doing this-especially when they were quite young (4-5). Not that they should win every time, but my Dad is so competitive, he can’t even step aside once in awhile. Grrrr.
My grandfather and I played every Sunday morning for 4 years. The day we stopped playing was the day I won for the first time. My father at least lost with good grace, considering I was 9.
Yep-my Dad was pissed the day #1 son won. heh. Now they don’t play, but he does with #2 son–until #2 son wins, I suppose…
Nerf ball, they ran around the field when they scored, I suppose an impromptu end-zone dance, the preschooler was crying because he had to go in. Come to think of it, I wanted to play more too. There may be a rematch tonight, I will keep you posted. Also, the preschooler’s preferred defensive method was to hold on to my leg, which impared my ability to run, so I just fell down since I couldn’t run.
Do the right thing, Captain. No need to send these little nerf-herders home 0-2.
That’s brilliant offense on the part of the preschooler! (or is it defense? I get confused about the whole the best defense is a good offense meme). You can’t run, you can’t pass–perfect! Now all he needs is possession… (and can the girls-if there are any- play?–I loved playing football as a kid).
How to keep offense and defense straight:
Guys have balls.
Guys are offensive.
The offense has the ball.
(Unless it’s baseball, which is, I’m told, the only sport in which the offense normally never touches the ball, which is part of why I consider it a holy game.)
Not all of you are offensive.
<groucho voice> and not all of you have balls <rims shot>
But think seriously about this move by the preschooler. It would be defense, then, because the Captain has the ball. But–preschooler has stopped him cold. Problem is, preschooler can’t get the ball… Hmmm. This makes me think that sports are more complex than I have often thought.
But the ball turns over as soon asCaptain is down, correct? So, it ends up being a brilliantly defensive move on the part of the rug rat! IF he can get Captain to fall over. (images of Captain limping down field with rug rat in tow)
Sounds like fun! And if you “let” little kids win, they often know it. My mom loves to tell the story of the time, when I was 5, and a college student had played a card game called Donald Duck with me and let me win. When I saw him at church the following Sunday, in my piercing young voice I announced to the world, “Look, there’s the man who cheats at Donald Duck!”
So giving them a break sometimes is a good way to go. And not being totally obvious about it!
IMPORTANT SPORTS UPDATE: The score of the second game is in, and it was CLOSE. The score was 49-42, with myself in the lead, when the kindergartner/preschooler tag-team run up the field. The 30, the 20, the 10… They accidentally run out of bounds at the 5 yard line. This would not have been bad, had this play not been appointed by their mom as the last play of the game. They had a serious shot at winning, had it not been the last play. They were the New England Patriots, I was the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Steelers: 49
Patriots: 42 F