I have two nephews and I have two nieces who range from age four to eight. They recently competed in their first ATA Tournament. I was a little worried about my oldest nephew, Chris because two weeks before the tournament he was moved up to a higher level class, so I knew that in the tournament he was going to be up against higher level kids. That worried me because you don’t want to see your nephew get beat in his very first tournament by a higher level kid.  I worried that he would not receive a medal or some sort of award and that would discourage him from participating again. In my mind I could see him sitting there as they called each kid’s name to come up and get their award, waiting and hoping that they would call his name – much like I used to wait during my ROTC years in school. His instructor told me there wasn’t anything to worry about because my nephew was ready for the tournament and he was ready to compete in the higher level. When he told me that I felt better so more than worry I was excited for the tournament to begin – this was my nephew’s first ATA competition after all.

Not only was this his first ATA competition but it was also the first time that he has had to wear a protective cup. He hated it. He complained about having to wear it, he complained about putting it on, and he complained about it for the entire ride to the tournament site.

“This cup hurts.” Chris wined as he squirmed in the backseat. “Why do I have to wear it?”

My five year old niece stopped singing along with Lady Gaga long enough to answer, “Because you could get kicked in your nuts.” I tried to keep from laughing because to me is just seemed so funny that she would answer that way. “Remember in class when that big kid got kicked in his nuts and he started crying? The teacher said he needed to wear his cup.”

“What cup?” My five year old nephew Jay asked. “I don’t see a cup.”

“I’m wearing a cup and it hurts.” Chris said totally ignoring his little sister.

Jay’s interest was piqued.  “Where is it? I don’t see it.”

“I’m wearing it on my penis.”

Jay busted out laughing, “you’re so silly. You don’t put cups on your penis. You drink out of them.”