15 Aug 2020, 04:05
Soccer Balls and Stumbles
September 12, 12:54 p.m.
Jess let the soccer ball roll from her hands onto the grass of the Quidditch Training Pitch as she looked around, breathing in the fresh air and the slight scent of grass that floated up to her from the ground. The pitch was empty for now, which was a good sign. Though, Jess figured that even if someone did come here to practice, she wouldn't really be much in their way as she was stuck on the ground and they would be flying around in the air. So... everything should go fine. No, better than fine. This should be great!
After not having played soccer for several consecutive weeks, Jess was itching to try and dribble the ball around some players and shoot a goal. There were no goals here, of course, save for the six massive ones towering high up above Jess's head, so she would have to stick to the former of her two desires. She had to actually find someone to play with before that, though. Jess highly doubted that any Purebloods here at Hogwarts actually knew that soccer even existed, much less how to play it. She would probably be able to find some soccer-lovers among the Muggle-borns, though. Hopefully. For now, Jess would just have to settle for teaching Akari how to play and hoping that serving as coach instead of player would serve just as fun as actually being out on the field, defending players and shooting at the goalposts.
Speaking of, where was Akari? They had arranged to meet at one o'clock, and Jess figured that by now it was probably five minutes past that. She wasn't really sure though, since she hadn't brought her watch and had last checked the time back in her dormitory before she headed out to the pitch with her ball tucked safely under her arm. It had been ten to one then, so Jess figured that she might actually just be early instead of her friend being late... or both. Either way, it didn't matter, since Jess was sure Akari would show up any minute now.
Though they hadn't known each other for long, Jess didn't think Akari would be the type of person to promise to meet up and then leave Jess hanging, especially if they were meeting so that Akari could learn something new. Soccer, specifically. Well, football, if Jess was to respect the dialect of the country she was currently in. It had actually been quite a struggle to get Jess's parents to let her take the ball to school, as her dad said that in a school full of magic, playing a Muggle sport would almost definitely be a waste of time, and her mom insisted that there simply wasn't enough room in her trunk to pack this, her books, and her sketchbook all at once. Jess had won them over at last, saying that if she didn't practice while she was away, she would forget everything she had learned about the sport and wouldn't be able to play it at all when she returned home over the holidays.
Now, Jess lightly dribbled the ball between her feet as she practiced her bell taps. She would be sure to teach Akari that, as she believed it to be a valuable skill and great way to practice ball control. She might have to practice a bit more before trying to teach the routine, though, as Jess's focus soon slipped and the ball rolled away from her. As she walked to retrieve it, Jess idly wondered where Akari was, and if she was going to show up any time soon.
This thread is open to anyone, but please let @Akari Kato answer first!
"Promises are sacred and hugs can save the world."
Stats: Stamina: 4 | Evasion: 7 | Strength: 4 | Wisdom: 8 | ArcPower: 5 | Accuracy: 7 | Calming Presence
1st Year Hex Code: #BF8040 | 2nd Year Hex Code: #c68458
15 Aug 2020, 05:15
Soccer Balls and Stumbles
Reducio
Interacting with:@Jess Malters
Akari sat in her room at her wooden desk with her head resting against one of her hands, and was dozing off while trying to finish her homework for the day. The quill was still in her hand and was hovering over the paper but she was continuing to lose her train of thought and got distracted by her daydreams. She shifted her elbow, the movement caused one of her books to go plummeting to the floor. The noise it made shook her out of her thoughts then she turned and leaned over to pick it up getting a glance of the time from the clock hanging on the wall while doing so. She did a double take then blinked at it a few times and gasped out loud realizing she was about to be late to meet with Jess who was supposed to teach her the muggle sport that she called “Football” but Jess has called it something completely different but couldn’t quite remember what.... perhaps something with an S? She had watched the sport with her family on television before and was not quite sure she understood the rules but it seemed like it would be enjoyable. Did she need to bring something? She should have clarified with Jess beforehand, but it was too late now.
She gently tossed her book aside and quickly closed the lid of her ink bottle not wanting it to dry out then ran out the door as fast as her little legs could carry her. She rushed past other students in her common room and mumbled a couple of apologies for almost bumping in to them then ran down the stairs and eventually exited the building.
She came running up to the pitch out of breath and panting then made her way over to Jess with a small smile and gave her a short wave and called out “My apologizes, I hope you weren’t waiting that long!”
Life is much easier when you just chill out | enzo delcroix |
20 Aug 2020, 17:24
Soccer Balls and Stumbles
Dribbling the soccer ball between her legs, Jess ran up the pitch, her eyes on the ball. Okay, she thought to herself. I can do this... just take it slow. She put her right foot up on the ball, and, keeping her weight on that foot, jumped around to the other side of the ball. She then switched her feet so that her left one was resting on top of the ball, and drew it towards her body. Ball now back safely in her control, she resumed her running and grinned to herself. There we go! A perfect maradona...
Too pleased in herself to actually pay attention to her surroundings, Jess didn't notice the twig sticking up from the ground at her feet, and promptly tripped over it. The girl didn't realize that she was falling at first, she just noted with some interest that the ground seemed to be getting surprisingly closer to her face. Then she hit the dirt with a slight thump, and rolled around to sit up. Dammit. Standing up to brush herself off, Jess desperately hoped that nobody had seen her fall... though, if they had been watching, then they were bound to have seen the maradona as well... yay! Just then, Jess spotted Akari running towards her across the pitch and apologizing for making Jess wait.
"That's fine!" Jess called out cheerfully. "Okay, so... just how much do you already know about soccer- sorry, football?"
Too pleased in herself to actually pay attention to her surroundings, Jess didn't notice the twig sticking up from the ground at her feet, and promptly tripped over it. The girl didn't realize that she was falling at first, she just noted with some interest that the ground seemed to be getting surprisingly closer to her face. Then she hit the dirt with a slight thump, and rolled around to sit up. Dammit. Standing up to brush herself off, Jess desperately hoped that nobody had seen her fall... though, if they had been watching, then they were bound to have seen the maradona as well... yay! Just then, Jess spotted Akari running towards her across the pitch and apologizing for making Jess wait.
"That's fine!" Jess called out cheerfully. "Okay, so... just how much do you already know about soccer- sorry, football?"
@Akari Kato
"Promises are sacred and hugs can save the world."
Stats: Stamina: 4 | Evasion: 7 | Strength: 4 | Wisdom: 8 | ArcPower: 5 | Accuracy: 7 | Calming Presence
1st Year Hex Code: #BF8040 | 2nd Year Hex Code: #c68458
22 Aug 2020, 03:27
Soccer Balls and Stumbles
Akari's face turned a bit flushed out of embarrassment when she was asked what she knows about the muggle sport. I probably should have researched it beforehand... she grumbled to herself in her head then facepalmed herself internally.
She knew next to nothing about the sport.
”Well... all I know is that the goal of the game is to get the ball in the net” She replied with a nervous chuckle.
Then she walked closer to Jess and gazed down at the black and white ball and pursed her lips and furrowed her brows slightly. This isn’t going to turn out well for me... she thought to herself.
She assumed that it would take skill and coordination to play this game, and unfortunately for her, most of the time her luck with these kinds of sports were non existent. She thought back to all the times her cousins from her mothers side had tried to teach her some muggle games but she ended up failing miserably. It wasn’t necessarily that she was clumsy, but perhaps she just hadn’t had the proper instruction or teachers. She hoped dearly that, that was the reason.
“I suppose you’ll have to begin with the very basics” She said then grinned and gave an apologetic shrug.
@Jess Malters
She knew next to nothing about the sport.
”Well... all I know is that the goal of the game is to get the ball in the net” She replied with a nervous chuckle.
Then she walked closer to Jess and gazed down at the black and white ball and pursed her lips and furrowed her brows slightly. This isn’t going to turn out well for me... she thought to herself.
She assumed that it would take skill and coordination to play this game, and unfortunately for her, most of the time her luck with these kinds of sports were non existent. She thought back to all the times her cousins from her mothers side had tried to teach her some muggle games but she ended up failing miserably. It wasn’t necessarily that she was clumsy, but perhaps she just hadn’t had the proper instruction or teachers. She hoped dearly that, that was the reason.
“I suppose you’ll have to begin with the very basics” She said then grinned and gave an apologetic shrug.
@Jess Malters
Life is much easier when you just chill out | enzo delcroix |
25 Aug 2020, 03:36
Soccer Balls and Stumbles
Jess grinned slightly at Akari when the girl said she knew practically nothing about soccer except for the players needing to score goals to win. "That's okay!" Jess said gleefully, passing the ball softly to the other first year. She had expected something along these lines, anyways, and if Akari didn't really know anything about soccer then that must mean she didn't have any false ideas about the sport that Jess would have to fix! She looked up again as the girl spoke, and wrinkled her nose in concentration. Okay, so Akari wants the basics... does that mean in ball control, or the general way the game works? Um... I guess I can start with the latter of the two, just so she at least vaguely knows what I'm talking about when I mention using techniques during the game. So... I'll explain that, and then get into passing and stopping the ball! Convinced that her newly developed plan was a good one, Jess turned back to Akari, her eyes bright with excitement.
"Okay, so you've got the basic idea right. Each team gets points by scoring goals, which means that they get the ball into the other side's net. Now, that job usually goes to the strikers, who basically play at the end further from their own goal and take on offensive plays. Helping them are midfielders, who try to help out the strikers by passing them the ball and giving them options for who to pass back to. Midfielders are also responsible for running back to help out the defenders when the ball gets in to that area... that is, the defenders play defense and try to get the ball back from the other team's strikers to keep them from shooting at the goal. The last line of defense is the goalie, who's basically like a Quidditch Keeper but for soccer. The goalie stays in the net and tries to block all of the shots that players make at the net. Is all of this making sense so far?" She looked at Akari expectantly, waiting eagerly for the other girl's answer. Hopefully, Akari had actually understood everything that Jess had told her, so that they could move on to the actual mechanics of the sport and Jess could get the girl started on practicing dribbling and passing. She had left some stuff out of her explanation, of course, like offsides, corners, throw-ins, goalkicks, penalties, and the like. She didn't see a need to get that complicated with her explanation, especially since they didn't actually come into play unless the game occurring was a professional one, and Jess couldn't think of a situation any time in the near future where Akari would be involved in something like that. For now, this limited explanation would just have to do.
"Okay, so you've got the basic idea right. Each team gets points by scoring goals, which means that they get the ball into the other side's net. Now, that job usually goes to the strikers, who basically play at the end further from their own goal and take on offensive plays. Helping them are midfielders, who try to help out the strikers by passing them the ball and giving them options for who to pass back to. Midfielders are also responsible for running back to help out the defenders when the ball gets in to that area... that is, the defenders play defense and try to get the ball back from the other team's strikers to keep them from shooting at the goal. The last line of defense is the goalie, who's basically like a Quidditch Keeper but for soccer. The goalie stays in the net and tries to block all of the shots that players make at the net. Is all of this making sense so far?" She looked at Akari expectantly, waiting eagerly for the other girl's answer. Hopefully, Akari had actually understood everything that Jess had told her, so that they could move on to the actual mechanics of the sport and Jess could get the girl started on practicing dribbling and passing. She had left some stuff out of her explanation, of course, like offsides, corners, throw-ins, goalkicks, penalties, and the like. She didn't see a need to get that complicated with her explanation, especially since they didn't actually come into play unless the game occurring was a professional one, and Jess couldn't think of a situation any time in the near future where Akari would be involved in something like that. For now, this limited explanation would just have to do.
@Akari Kato
"Promises are sacred and hugs can save the world."
Stats: Stamina: 4 | Evasion: 7 | Strength: 4 | Wisdom: 8 | ArcPower: 5 | Accuracy: 7 | Calming Presence
1st Year Hex Code: #BF8040 | 2nd Year Hex Code: #c68458
28 Aug 2020, 00:18
Soccer Balls and Stumbles
Akari had all the best intentions to play this sport but knew there was a big chance that she would make a fool of herself so paid a lot of attention to the next few sentences that came out of Jess's mouth. Her gave drifted down to the ball as she was nodding along acknowledging everything that she was hearing while trying to retain all the information. What made it much easier and helped her greatly when Jess started referencing a bit of quidditch though.
Oh boy... this seems complex she told her self then scratched her head lightly.
"Alright...I think I get the gist of it"
She finally spoke up.
"Basically, there are three types of players, ones who try to score goals like chasers then ones who pass to the chaser-like players then ones who are exactly like keepers but for the net... correct?"
She repeated back to Jess in her own way and hoped dearly that she had understood properly.
Her long ebony hair fluttered in the autumn breeze and she brushed it out of her face before realizing it would not be a smart idea to play an active game with her hair all wild so her looked down at her wrists and pulled off an elastic band and used it to secure her hair up into a high ponytail all the while looking at Jess for reassurance about her understanding of what she was just taught.
@Jess Malters
Oh boy... this seems complex she told her self then scratched her head lightly.
"Alright...I think I get the gist of it"
She finally spoke up.
"Basically, there are three types of players, ones who try to score goals like chasers then ones who pass to the chaser-like players then ones who are exactly like keepers but for the net... correct?"
She repeated back to Jess in her own way and hoped dearly that she had understood properly.
Her long ebony hair fluttered in the autumn breeze and she brushed it out of her face before realizing it would not be a smart idea to play an active game with her hair all wild so her looked down at her wrists and pulled off an elastic band and used it to secure her hair up into a high ponytail all the while looking at Jess for reassurance about her understanding of what she was just taught.
@Jess Malters
Life is much easier when you just chill out | enzo delcroix |
8 Sep 2020, 00:31
Soccer Balls and Stumbles
Jess grinned at Akari's assurance that she understood at least some of what Jess had explained, but the girl's head scratch gave Jess pause. She did understand, right? Well, based off the girl's words, sort of. She got the general idea of the game right, at least. And, to Jess's knowledge, the Quidditch comparisons between the strikers and chasers were correct, though the young Hufflepuff didn't actually know all that much about the wizarding sport so she probably wasn't a reliable judge of the similarity of the two. Akari's idea about the defense was a bit off, though.
"Okay, so you're right about most of what you said. About the defenders, though, they're not really like keepers... well, I guess they kind of are if you think about it a certain way. But really, the keeper for soccer is just the goalie, since that's the only person who can actually stand like right in the net and use their hands to block the ball. Oh, you can't use your hands in soccer, by the way. Just use your feet, and if you need to stop a high pass, then chest it or head it... if you can. Anyways, the defenders stand a bit in front of the goal and try to keep people from shooting... kind of like beaters, I guess."
Content with her explanation, Jess rolled the ball back towards herself and began dribbling it between her feet. She really hoped that Akari got it this time, since she wasn't sure how to change her phrasing again in a way that would make the girl actually understand. She looked back up at Akari and grinned hopefully, stopping the soccer ball and resting her foot on top of it. "So, want to start learning how to pass?" Passing in itself wouldn't really be all too eventful, but hopefully, it could still stay fun since Akari was generally cool to hang out with. Jess's biggest concern for this next step was just that either she or Akari might get annoyed with the mildly boring process of trapping, aiming, and kicking the ball again and again and again, but she hoped it would turn out all right.
"Okay, so you're right about most of what you said. About the defenders, though, they're not really like keepers... well, I guess they kind of are if you think about it a certain way. But really, the keeper for soccer is just the goalie, since that's the only person who can actually stand like right in the net and use their hands to block the ball. Oh, you can't use your hands in soccer, by the way. Just use your feet, and if you need to stop a high pass, then chest it or head it... if you can. Anyways, the defenders stand a bit in front of the goal and try to keep people from shooting... kind of like beaters, I guess."
Content with her explanation, Jess rolled the ball back towards herself and began dribbling it between her feet. She really hoped that Akari got it this time, since she wasn't sure how to change her phrasing again in a way that would make the girl actually understand. She looked back up at Akari and grinned hopefully, stopping the soccer ball and resting her foot on top of it. "So, want to start learning how to pass?" Passing in itself wouldn't really be all too eventful, but hopefully, it could still stay fun since Akari was generally cool to hang out with. Jess's biggest concern for this next step was just that either she or Akari might get annoyed with the mildly boring process of trapping, aiming, and kicking the ball again and again and again, but she hoped it would turn out all right.
@Akari Kato
"Promises are sacred and hugs can save the world."
Stats: Stamina: 4 | Evasion: 7 | Strength: 4 | Wisdom: 8 | ArcPower: 5 | Accuracy: 7 | Calming Presence
1st Year Hex Code: #BF8040 | 2nd Year Hex Code: #c68458
27 Sep 2020, 13:38
Soccer Balls and Stumbles
@Jess Malters"So no using your hands, goalies protect the nets, and the defenders protect the goalies..." Akari repeated out loud while she counted each of the previous statements on her fingers once again making sure she had all the information needed.
Akari watched Jess start to dribble the ball in between her feet and started to bite her inner lip slightly. All in all, it really wasn't too complex and she assumed that everything would come together when they began to actually play, so then she nodded at her question and then put on a small timid smile then replied with a small laugh "Yes, lets give it a go, but be easy on me ok?"
Right after she had responded Akari looked around the area that they were in and had an expression as if she was deep in thought. Since Hogwarts wasn't really equipped with the proper materials for this sport they would need to make do with what they had. She glanced back over at Jess and then asked "Don't we need a net of some kind? Is there something we can put up to represent it? Maybe we can find some sticks or rocks and prop them up so we know where to aim the ball?"
I am so so sorry for the late reply!
Life is much easier when you just chill out | enzo delcroix |
24 Nov 2020, 19:09
Soccer Balls and Stumbles
Jess looked up at the Quidditch goals when Akari mentioned they may need some for soccer, and smiled slightly as she imagined someone trying to kick the soccer ball through one of the high, soaring hoops. She debated trying to throw the soccer ball through one for a second, but stopped as she realized that a) she had never really been all that good at basketball, so she would probably miss, b) the hoops were about eighteen times higher in the air than she could throw, so her attempt wouldn't even be close to successful, and c) Akari had started talking again, so she should probably listen.
"I mean... rocks would probably be too small to see but sticks could work. Though-" she kicked the ball softly in Akari's direction, "-you just need to learn how to actually pass and dribble for now, so I guess we can cross that bridge when we come to it." She smiled at the girl, but her eyebrows furrowed in confusion as she felt a drop of something hit her face. Looking up, she saw a grey, droopy cloud hanging right above the Quidditch Pitch, seeming to smirk down at her as it released its watery contents over her head. Really, the sight was quite a marvel, since it didn't really seem to be raining anywhere else on the Hogwarts Grounds other than where Jess and Akari were. Rude.
Looking at Akari helplessly, Jess asked, "I mean, a little rain never hurt anyone, right?" No sooner had the words come out of the girl's mouth, however, than did the slight drizzle that had formerly come from the cloud turn into a steady rush of a downpour. Exclaiming as the cold droplets hit her face, Jess grabbed Akari's hand and pulled the other girl behind her as she ran for shelter. When she reached the safety of the Hogwarts hall and threw herself inside, away from the rain, she turned back to Akari, now laughing.
"Well, as much as I'd love to teach you how to play soccer today, it seems the universe doesn't agree with our plans... sorry." She looked around, realizing she was dripping rainwater onto the hall's formerly clean floors. "...Woops. Um, I'm gonna go change... catch up with you later?" After hearing Akari's response, Jess seized her now-muddied soccer ball and hurried off towards her common room, where she hoped the merry fire could provide some warmth and solace to her cold, shivering frame.
"I mean... rocks would probably be too small to see but sticks could work. Though-" she kicked the ball softly in Akari's direction, "-you just need to learn how to actually pass and dribble for now, so I guess we can cross that bridge when we come to it." She smiled at the girl, but her eyebrows furrowed in confusion as she felt a drop of something hit her face. Looking up, she saw a grey, droopy cloud hanging right above the Quidditch Pitch, seeming to smirk down at her as it released its watery contents over her head. Really, the sight was quite a marvel, since it didn't really seem to be raining anywhere else on the Hogwarts Grounds other than where Jess and Akari were. Rude.
Looking at Akari helplessly, Jess asked, "I mean, a little rain never hurt anyone, right?" No sooner had the words come out of the girl's mouth, however, than did the slight drizzle that had formerly come from the cloud turn into a steady rush of a downpour. Exclaiming as the cold droplets hit her face, Jess grabbed Akari's hand and pulled the other girl behind her as she ran for shelter. When she reached the safety of the Hogwarts hall and threw herself inside, away from the rain, she turned back to Akari, now laughing.
"Well, as much as I'd love to teach you how to play soccer today, it seems the universe doesn't agree with our plans... sorry." She looked around, realizing she was dripping rainwater onto the hall's formerly clean floors. "...Woops. Um, I'm gonna go change... catch up with you later?" After hearing Akari's response, Jess seized her now-muddied soccer ball and hurried off towards her common room, where she hoped the merry fire could provide some warmth and solace to her cold, shivering frame.
Jess Malters has exited this thread.
@Akari Kato
"Promises are sacred and hugs can save the world."
Stats: Stamina: 4 | Evasion: 7 | Strength: 4 | Wisdom: 8 | ArcPower: 5 | Accuracy: 7 | Calming Presence
1st Year Hex Code: #BF8040 | 2nd Year Hex Code: #c68458