THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, June 25, 1995 TAG: 9506240071
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Close Up
LENGTH: Medium: 58 lines
Julia Tye paced up and down the sidelines of the soccer field. Sunglasses shielded her eyes from the afternoon glare.
Her attention was focused on the field, where the Green Hornets were engaged in a scrimmage.
When the ball hit her in the head, she barely flinched.
Tye said yes when the South Norfolk Recreation Department needed a Tiny Tots League coach for children 5 to 7. Never mind that she had never seen a soccer game and knew little about the sport.
``I made that clear to the parents up front and asked for their help,'' said Tye, whose son Russell is on the team.
She got books from the library on how to coach youth soccer and watched videos about the game.
``It meant that every week I made out my lesson plan,'' she said.
She came up with some interesting drills to help the children develop skills, such as handling, kicking and taking charge of the ball, passing, team skills and playing the position to which they are assigned. She searched for ways to help them move toward a goal, not just in soccer, but in life.
``In the beginning, we drilled for the whole hour,'' she said. ``But the children want to play. They don't care if it's a scrimmage.''
The reaction from parents to her leadership of the team has been all positive.
``She's done a great job. She's real fair with the kids,'' said Terri Elliott.
``As much as possible, she lets the children play the position they want to play. If they practice, they get to play during the games,'' Sandy Craig said.
Technically, scores are not kept during the games. But parents say that their Hornets have won every game they played.
Full name: Julia Davis Tye
Grew up: In Rocky Mount, Va., population 4,500
Fond childhood memories: ``Just growing up. Being a tomboy. Riding horses on my uncle's farm.''
Spouse: Thomas M. Tye
Children: Russell, age 5
Occupation: ``A lawyer with the Virginia Attorney General's office for the past 14 years.''
Hobbies: Skiing
Last book read: `` `Chesapeake.' Actually, I listened to it on tape. I have a 30-minute ride to work.''
Favorite movie: ``Gone With the Wind''
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? ``I would be more positive and less critical.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo by L. Todd Spencer
by CNB