Can I START to learn soccer at this point? I'm 21....

[Schu419]

So in the past year or so I've realized that I have a passion for soccer. I love the game, and would absolutely love to play. But, I never have. I played a small bit, like every American, in elementary school etc, but I never got into training. Even the preparation and training for soccer appeals to me right now.

BUT, I'm already 21. Do I even have any options? I have a bunch of friends who played high level high school soccer, including ODP regional teams and national pool, but theyre not about to teach me a lot of the basics...

cheers..

[jrod69]

never too late to start maybe go to the park and play see how it goes

[jvillefreelance]

Taylor Twellman didn't start until he was 14, now, imo, he should be on the usmnt. If you start playing w/ others or in a league you will get ridiculed, laughed at, and pretty much made to feel you suck, but in all honesty, you probably do suck, and the only way to get better is to keep showing up and letting everyone know that you love soccer and that you are trying to have fun and learn to play well. I say you should play whenever and where ever you want.

[Dr.Phil]

Just start kicking it around with friends

Find an adult league in the area

Indoor soccer Very Fun

You have many options

[mesican]

BUT, I'm already 21. Do I even have any options? I have a bunch of friends who played high level high school soccer, including ODP regional teams and national pool, but theyre not about to teach me a lot of the basics...

cheers..

Move to a heavy populated Latino area. Just messing with you, go to a park and first observe a pick up game. If you want to learn the basics ask you local high school coach if he can show you. One thing that you will notice is that in soccer unlike other sports people in pick up games will help you out. Good luck if i mean when you get the hang of it you will never want to stop.

[ctsoccer13]

Check for local leagues and indoor. Very often they have levels organized by experience, so you can get used to playing and enjoy it at the same time. Trying to jump into a higher level game will just push you away from the sport, which nobody wants to see. I helped run an outdoor coed league that pulled in people at 40+ years of age who never had played. We put them in our lowest division and they're having fun. Good luck.

[ciscotoros22]

maybe join a mens league guys get out there and just like to have fun

[harryhoho]

Depending on your constitution, you might want to try playing in the defence. At this age, youll probably never get the technical skills to really compete as a playmaker, but in the defence IMO the most important point is understanding the flow of the game.

If you know what the forwards are trying to do, you can counter them with non-soccer specific skills like quick running and good use of your body.

[Skaog]

Just Join a league that is not very competitive. and play as much as you can. Also helps to get a tactics DVD or two, because even if you are never very skilled, understanding the game and how to defend and build an attack properly can make up for lack of speed or skills.

But yes, you can still pick it up.

[Fulham Fan]

You need to get touches on the ball. Work with a ball on your own and also get a friend to play one v. one with you. Ask to see his best tricks and then try to copy them.

[loden]

there's only one way to do it...

many, many many many hours of self practice...


the pay off=tremendous

the work=mind boggling

hours and hours and hours and hours of touches and touches and touches


when you become techincally proficient that's when it starts to get fun...

I started playing at 21 but I poured my heart and soul into it...

Now I'm a very solid attacking player.

[loden]

Here's how I went from 0 to playing #10 in less then 2 1/2 years...

1. learn the basics of individual defending
-body positioning
-jockying/forcing direction of play
-tackling
-learn to read plays

2. in the meanwhile i juggled and dribbled by myself endlessly
-learn to recieve the ball and work it into space intelligently
-think ahead of the game

3. copy ALL the new moves you see
-if you consistently do any move 5-10 times per trainining session, you will have it under you belt in about half a year
-work on improving your footwork
(hint; don't overlook the stepovers, they are the fist big step to being able to run around and shield the ball without altering its speed and direction)


4. keep working on your striking/crossing techinques
-they are the key to having an accurate pass and shot...and in this game, accuracy is vital

[smithxi]

soccer is so simple. of course you can do it.

[KHowe]

I'm 22 and just started this year. I'm playing in pick up games with a bunch of people, and we continually have more and more guys showing up that have played all their lives. I certainly don't feel inadequate playing and have only started a few weeks ago. Soccer is a sport you can enjoy playing even if you are just starting, I certainly do. Go shoot the ball around by yourself and you'll learn the basics. I haven't had anyone give me any shit about just starting, most people are cool and will help you out.

[Echo_]

Depending on your constitution, you might want to try playing in the defence. At this age, youll probably never get the technical skills to really compete as a playmaker, but in the defence IMO the most important point is understanding the flow of the game.

If you know what the forwards are trying to do, you can counter them with non-soccer specific skills like quick running and good use of your body.
hes not trying to be on a club team man he just wants to have fun playing soccer


buy a ball, buy some cleats go out with some friends and play 3 on 3

[el mofles]

Fastest way to get better is practice by yourself using the wall. Your first touch is your most important touch. Also also use it to practice your heading, shooting, passing without buying that ball on a string contraption they used to advertise on TV.

[reticent]

hey this is a great thread. you ask a good question, and have gotten some great and inspiring responses. i have a different but somehow similar situation:

i started playing as a kid, played competitively through high school, and then plain stopped at eighteen. went off to college, studied, never gave soccer (or exercise overall) enough importance.

then, as the years went by, i found myself missing it more and more.

finally, watching the world cup, reading about it non-stop, and then finding a great park to play pick-up games near my house... all these factors have inspired me to start playing again after more than ten years!

aside from needing to get back in shape, i found that my skills are very rusty. i read this article in the new york times, about how kids in england are being taught the brazilian futebol de salão which is “a type of football played on a basketball court that uses a small, weighted ball."

here are the links below:
http://worldcup.blogs.nytimes.com/?p=330
http://www.icfds.com/content2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=90&Itemid=125

i think this article makes a lot of sense. the best way to improve your touch on the ball is to really practice by yourself a lot, just you and the ball, and i think using a more difficult, demanding ball, will help you get better faster!

well, i for one got inspired and ordered the ball and dvd. i can't wait for them to arrive. will let you know if it helps me. enjoy learning the game, it is so great on so many levels!

check it out:
http://www.icfds.com/shop/

[Twilliger]

the bottom line is the games about having fun!!

I started at 35 when my oldest son started playing and they needed coaches. I played lots of sports, mainly hockey, so in terms of movement, vision and finding space or a good pass I had some transferable skills. But in terms of dribbling, first touch, shooting and crossing I had nothing. I had to attend a coaching clinic where the basics we taught in a day, and that was enough to get me hooked and start practising alot. I really like the Koerver Coaching books and videos - I get them from my local library system and they provide alot advice and things to practice to develop ball feel and 1v1 skills that are necessary. I also like lots of the advice already given like playing against a wall (great for the all important first touch) and lots of practicing.

I am now 38 and play for an over 35 club team and pick up three times a week at lunch (or at least I would if I did not pull my hamstring for the 3rd time, grrrr).

Enjoy it, it is a great game!!

[CharlieMills]

I'm so happy I found this thread. I am in the same position. I'm 21 and just starting to play. Luckily i've been playing baseball and football most of my life, and now have been playing basketball for about 3 years. So i'm pretty athletic and in decent shape. But none of those games compare to the fun of soccer. I have yet to play a game, mainly because I still suck, but i will soon. I'm somewhat frustrated because i don't know any of the techniques of ball control. I can't juggle the ball on my feet, and don't know how. Are there any good resources for the basics of ball control?

[rca2]

Its never too late. I have played adult recreational soccer for over 20 years, and didn't start playing until age 30. After a certain point, it makes no difference whether you started at 12 or 22. On my over 30 team there are eight players over 50 and three over 60. In adult recreational soccer, how healthy and fit you are matters more than what level of youth soccer you played. In the first two or three years, you will improve a great deal as long as you keep at it. Work with a ball on your own too. Your disadvantage in not having played competitively can be overcome by reading some coaching manuals, reading the Laws of the Game, watching good players and good teams, and asking for help from your friends and teammates. Playing indoors and small sided games are great ways of jump starting your skill development.