Hi, its my first time posting here. I am a 19 year old guy here in Chicago, IL, am I have been a casual fan of the sport for a couple of years. But recently my intrest has increased tremendously. I was happy just watching the game but I have been getting the itch to actually play. The problem is that none of my friends are intrested in soccer, so I never had anyone to play with, just goofing off with the ball sometimes. Also my parents were never encouraging and they never pushed me into any sport, so I never played in any youth sports as a kid. Now my goal is to play for Bayer Munchen eventually (just kidding) But I would like to play for fun as an amateur in a league of some kind. I guess I could play in an amateur team, but I have a couple of questions. Can you guys direct me to some teams around the chicagoland area? How can I learn and develop the basic skills? I mean I have no formal training and I just know very little skill wise. Will these amateur clubs let me participate with out me being any good? I would like to play in games eventually but in the beginning I wouldnt even care if I was a bench warmer, I'd be happy to practice with them to learn some skill, so I can eventually improve. I have a great passion for soccer and its increasing every day. Im just upset that I didnt have the opportunity to start when I was younger, but I guess I have to play with the cards I'm dealt. Thank you (sorry if this is the wrong section to post in)
Post this in the Chicago Fire forum...you'd probably get a better response there. Ohh...and take out the stuff about playing for UIC....they will just make fun of you for that. Despite how poor they might be, anyone playing divison 1 soccer has amazing talent.
UIC is in the process of rebuilding, and will probably return to the levels they were at c. 2000 or so. Not great, but a better-than-average D-I program. It pains me they'll be doing it with a guy that has Dallas Burn credentials... but, hey, if he gets them into the Tournament again, I'll forgive him.
when hear this thread i become moved!really! i don't know the amateur structure of US domestic local soccer but... i think that we had some local leagues there like "county league" i don't know! the level is really low i think (like every local leagues around the world)... you can start there!we made a mini turnments here....there're 6 teams composed about friends...this is a way for start: bricking a teams of soccer using your friends and start to challenge the another amateur team of the quarter or there, next to your city....
Look you don't start by trying to hook up with a team your not a little kid. Go to any park in the morning and just keep touching the ball. Dribble to something and turn with the ball have the ball just far enough a head so you can get your head up and still see the ball at the same time. So you can see what your dribbling to and turn not a three sixty just change your direction a little bit see something and dribble towards it you can dribble with any part of the foot. Now dribble with the inside of the foot alternating feet with every touch. Then try to build up your speed. Son't dribble from a straight up position bend your knees a little to get a lower center of gravity. Remember ball in line of vision just enough and still be able to get your head up. Then move to a hand ball court if there is one in the park go early so no one is on them yet. And just play the ball off the wall trying things. Then ever once in a while look at the field see if anyone is playing. If you see someone be friendly and ask if you can play with them and do it. Ask them if they are always there on that day and around that time. Then be there on that day and that time make friends. Alway nice to make a new friend much better then making enemies trust me I know. Hopefully there be some women there if not play any way. Go during the week byself and practice get better. Drible everything is off the dribble so dribble. Then while dribblong see a garbage can take a shot at it try to hit it. Then follow up your shot and retrieve the ball it is like the sprinting you do at times in games helps your wind. Think a head on what you will do and where you think is the best place to put the ball before you ever touch the ball. The best place to put the ball on your first touch is away from defender pressure. Then the next touch you make your off and running. If your close enough to shot look at your target again before you ever touch the ball. Then get the ball head down eyes on the ball and shoot the ball. The don't admire the shot follow up so if someone makes a save you there to put in a rebound your framing the goal they call that. Think about your positing when you don't the ball. Your more liking to get the ball again if you do. Think about your position your to busy thinking to get tired. Then when you get better who knows one of your new friends might ask you to join their team or a team. If not then look to join a team have fun playing. Playing is a lot of fun. Good news about playing is if you keep relatively fit you can be still plaing in your late 50's just let the ball do most of the running for you.
I used to play with some dudes in the North burbs but after breaking my leg in a ghastly challenge. . . the communal interest waned. lmao. Check out Chicago Social Club,(or something like that), they have recreation and coed leagues. You dont need a team, and they can add you onto an existing one.
Oh - and i would recommend going to your library and renting out some soccer instructional videos .Some of them can really help you learn the basics via DVD, so you can practice touches and moves on your own. My friend started playing late in life and he loves his Soccer Moves dvd. . the quality is crap, but he says it made him more confident.
exactly - follow this link to a site for CHicago Sport and Social Club - or hunt around for more. I learned to play volleyball when I was new in town through Chicago Sports Monster club. Lots of fun - met chicks - all good. But definitely get to a park and just work the ball around with your feet. Get used to cutting and taking the ball with you. find a wall or a net and practice hitting the bal with your instep instead of your toes, that kind of basic stuff.
The Player thread on Bigsoccer would probably give you good reading and the best place to get your questions answered. Also, remember as a player that you can always offer your determination and athleticism to a team. A never-give-up attitude will open quite a few doors in recreational soccer for you. Best of luck.
Player forum, sorry. Also, in relation to athleticism, there is quite a bit of "smart" running that you could learn to do make yourself a threat on offense whether you have the best ball skills or no. Running is a can of worms in itself in soccer. Brian McBride praised Eddie Johnson not long ago for the intelligence evident in Johnson's runs. Again, anyone willing to learn can always do something of use in soccer.
thanks a lot for the help guys. I appreciate it. I'll definately rent some instructional videos to get the basics down and I contacted the illinois soccer accosiation and they told me to call someone to find a team in my area. There are plenty of teams around here, some are very friendly, but others seem really competitive. I dont want to embarass myself in front of these guys even if they are not pros and are just playing for fun.
I just turned 37 and joined my first league this year. All the advice is great - the park, the wall, the DVDs, find a pick up game and then look for a league. Last week I played my first 11 sided, full field game and it was way harder than any pick-up game I have played in the last two summers. The field feels HUGE to me. Enjoy the game.
can i get a good scout who are willing to get players freom africa.i will love to have a link if u can help. isilove007@nyc.com ishaq
As a beginner like Twilliger, I would have to echo that everything said so far is valid advice (I wish I had heard som e of this a year ago). But most importantly get out with someone and kick the ball around. Period. Work on two-touch/first-touch passing, dribbling. And when you feel comfortable, then hit the pick-up...short goals, full field. If there is desire, it can be done.
yes...John Trask is building a new program there...it will be better-than-average the first year, then it will just increase in talent...sorry totally off-base in the thread but to the poster...just look around the park district for teams...get on one see how you like it and of course just practice all you can and ENJOY the game. Enjoyment is the key for you at this point, not winning. goodluck.
I live in Chicago also! Heres a mens league you can join! Just look at the site and give whomever a call to see for roster availability! http://www.nsslonline.com/