Splig is pretty good at soccer. He scores goals. He hustles. And then when we suggested he pass to other kids, he had a few games where he'd pretty much always pass to another teammate, even if it would have been better if he took the shot himself. He's called "Super Splig" by the other parents, even though there is another boy on the team who is better. Nonetheless, Splig does well and is known for his fancy footwork.

But he loves to play goalie. I don't know why.

He isn't particularly good at being keeper. He's not terrible, either, but just not "a star" the way he is when he is a forward. Of course, Splig has a history of getting hit in the face for various reasons (two dead front teeth, a nasty chin scar) so perhaps it is just part of his risk-taking behavior that he wants balls hurled at him. Oh yeah, he stops most of them, but every time he kneels down to grab a ball, I envision another player's cleat knocking out his teeth.

But when the action is on the other side of the field, and he is just waiting, being keeper seems almost serene: