Old Head Heads Back To the Soccer Field

[soulanin]

I feel rather ashamed saying it but after a long stint of absence from the soccer field - due to academics (B.A./M.A.) - I have opted to head back to the pitch to rejoin the former love of my life - soccer!!! I played in fact seriously for twelve years (school, club, and national soccer camps) and then only devoted a couple years of intramural soccer in college. Since then there has been an eight year loss of time on the field. I was reluctant to head back out there, but while working I have decided to join an adult league in the local area. Our fall season starts in a month and believe it or not I still have it but I want to come back contributing on the FIELD and not on the bench. Any suggestions on how to effectively get back in "soccer shape" in a timely manner (in addition to the practices we have twice a week)? Another thing my team is composed of 25-44yr old players where some have played all their lives and others only two or three years....Any words of encouragement/advice on how to become the ideal old head on the field?!?!

 

[chrissmith921]

Hi mate - former professional in the game here so hoping my words are useful

As for being an old head on the pitch - you're only as old as your soccer age - ie how many years you've played the game - but I'm pretty sure (reading your post) that you're a quality player to have played the level you have.

I think the key thing is that you communicate, and communicate effectively, to your younger, less experienced players, without seeming to "talk down" to them. Example instead of screaming across the pitch "what the f**king hell pass was that?" to your young, inexperienced fullback, have a quiet word on a corner: "Next time, pick your head up, keep it going..." this will make you seem a hell of a lot a better player all round to the others, and a lot more useful, than the mouthy trying to drive his point home

Obviously, it helps if you're in the spine (keeper, centre defence, centre midfield, striker) of the side to be effective in terms of leadership to the rest of the team, but not essential.

I think the key part to it is your communication, as long as you're being respectful, but constructive, in your comments, then the rest of it goes well.

Oh, and if theres ever a 22 man brawl, being an old 'ed you've got to be first in, last out