The Highly Skilled and the Beginner....

[theonekaos]

You guys that play in adult leagues whether it be on an all mens team or maybe even a co-ed team. If you are the highly skilled player,...do you switch your game to maybe 3rd gear instead of an all out 5th gear when you know you are up against a player(s), that are not as skilled as you??

And for the beginner. Did it make you hesitate joining a league knowing you are up against others with years of great training experience? How does it make you feel when you are up against someone that is lighten quick or a team that just blows right by you?

[nerevfan]

Just Play with the Higher skilled players, I always pick up skills from these guys and gals, just remember they were once shy to play also

[CarRamRod]

I'm not all that talented, but I played varsity in highschool and I'm currently in a coed summer league where there are a lot of players twice my age. I definitely spend a lot of time playing at 50% or so. I rarely, if ever, go into a tackle with the older women and definitely go into most tackles firm but not strong. As for when I have the ball I usually look to get the less talented players on my team involved rather than just taking on the defenders. Occasionally someone will upset me and I'll play hard for a minute to prove a point (i.e. don't slide at me from behind and I won't embarrass you.) Generally though I try to make the game more fun for everyone and just kinda chill.
I have fun with it and I like to think that people enjoy playing with and against me. I've had opponents thank me after the game for taking it easy on them. I prefer playing in leagues with higher skill levels, but over the summer the leagues usually end up with a wider range of skill and it's still fun.

[ctsoccer13]

We tone down our game when it comes to lesser skilled teams. I know that I've always played at a lower level against teams when it's "recreational". Stay away from hard tackles and some 50/50 balls. When playing against "beginners" they often come into 50/50 balls awkwardly and it's a good way to get hurt. On the other hand, your league should look to setup different divisions for skill levels and then relegate/promote yearly to keep it even.

[mak9]

when I'm playing in a rec league for fun,

I always tone it down, and try to have everyone involved in the game....

however, if the opposition defenders start to be overly aggressive or hit my leg multiple times....I will go all out physical with them

[Lurko]

I'm a firm believer in playing to the skill level of the player in front of you (in rec league games). People are playing rec league because they want to participate and have fun.

If I'm up against a rank beginner, I'm gonna give him or her a bit of space on the ball (while still marking, of course) and a little more time to think. If I'm up against someone of my skill level or better (I'm above average, but not great), I'll play harder and mark harder. We don't slide, so that's never an issue.

A-holes who are out there to win the World Cup in their own minds can ruin it for everyone. I usually go balls out on someone who uses their overwhelming skill to embarrass an inexperienced player on my team. :mad:

[Antonio81]

Sunday league games are for fun, a good place where you can practice moves and try new things out(something you can´t do on a serious team without angering the coach and teamates.)

But definately ease up on the physicalness, no checking, tackling, shirt-pulling, elbows, or trash talk. Just fun.

[Young Gunner]

You guys that play in adult leagues whether it be on an all mens team or maybe even a co-ed team. If you are the highly skilled player,...do you switch your game to maybe 3rd gear instead of an all out 5th gear when you know you are up against a player(s), that are not as skilled as you??

And for the beginner. Did it make you hesitate joining a league knowing you are up against others with years of great training experience? How does it make you feel when you are up against someone that is lighten quick or a team that just blows right by you?
For your first question the teams where i play are pretty evenly matched. If we are in a big lead or playing a team inferior to us we usually pass the ball and move about, build play etc

To answer your second paragraph most beginners are shy or hesitate at first because of many things on and off the pitch. I'v never had that problem because most of my team mates im close friends with and we all know each other outside of football. You may feel shy if you see or think that the players in your team are better than you, usually its just down to the fact they have been playing league football longer and had training as a youth.

[nobody]

I usually find when you play with groups where the skill level varies dramatically from player to player, the better players on each side usually just naturally start to match up with each other and take each other on and leave the lesser players to battle it out with each other. There's no need to prove how you can slide right by some chump every time. If you're a strong player, wait and take on the other teams big guns. Let your weaker players have a chance by taking on the other side's weaker players.

I totally agree in that rec leagues and pick up games aren't the places to go all out with the tackling and physical play. Work with your skill and enjoy the game when you aren't playing competitively. Most guys play in these sort of things to get some exercise and have fun. When you're playing with adults who have to go to work the next day, going hard for that 50/50 ball so you can't walk the next day isn't helping anyone.

[servotron]

I'd much rather play against people that are equal or better than me, it's a much better challenge and more rewarding if you play well and/or win.

When I play in my rec league games I play exactly as hard as my opponents... if there's a girl who's playing hard, I'm playing hard against her... if we're all just having a good ol time, I'll slow it down and make sure everyone's having a good time.

[gigglemuffin]

The only thing I tone down against beginner is probably my aggression. I don't want to hurt people that are new and ruin their whole perception of the game. If the opposite teams are my equal prepare for some hardcore aggression.

[bigredfutbol]

I suppose I still count as a beginner since I didn't start playing until my mid-30s and not steadily until about a year and a half ago (I'm 40). I worry less about how skilled my opponents are than I do about the skill level of my teammates--I don't want to frustrate them or hamper the team. So I generally try to play smart within my physical and technical limits, and not put myself in a position where the more skilled and athletic players can't execute a good attack because I'm slowing things down. In short, I mostly play defense, and rely on hustle and what little I've learned during my late-blooming playing "career" to not overcommit and get beat.

[snolly g]

i don't tone it down very much. and i wouldn't want someone else to go easier either.

the most effective way to improve your game is to play against people and teams that are better than you. soccer is as much about physical ability (which you can improve by exercising) as it is about talent and skill (which you can develop by practicing) as it is about mental ability (which you can improve by watching what other players do).

the only thing i worry about when playing against beginners is getting injured. a lot of times, beginners don't have as good control over their bodies, or they don't understand what's legal and what's not legal. with arms and legs flailing all over the place wildly and unpredictably, it's a little more dangerous playing with beginners.

[ranova]

... [1]If you are the highly skilled player,...do you switch your game to maybe 3rd gear instead of an all out 5th gear when you know you are up against a player(s), that are not as skilled as you?...And for the beginner. [2]Did it make you hesitate joining a league knowing you are up against others with years of great training experience? [3]How does it make you feel when you are up against someone that is lighten quick or a team that just blows right by you?

I coach an adult over-30 recreational team with all levels of players from former Div I college players to novice recreational players. I will answer from my perspective--

[1] For a friendly (which most rec games are) someone who is clearly better skilled than the other players should tone down his game to ensure that he is not dominating the game. I have instructed players to ease up and even subbed players scoring too many goals too quickly. If its a competitive match, then you don't ease off until the game is in hand.

[2] Yes of course, but then you play regardless.

[3] If I have done my best then I feel good. There is always a better player out there. So what. I remember our manager (of a rec adult team) years ago scheduled a friendly against an unknown team. I never learned who they actually were, but they appeared to be a latin american U20 national team in dress, organization, and discipline. We rarely got the ball out of our own end of the field, yet we were all bragging about how well we played against what was clearly a far superior team. Its a little like being the sparring partner for the heavy weight world champion. Getting pounded can be an honor.

Re: 1.