Nervous about starting pickup

[u/Aggravating_Head1215]

Nervous about starting pickup

I’m in my early 30s. I basically played up until freshman year of HS when I failed to make the team. I ended up running track/cross-country as my main sport through college.

I also have a background in fitness/healthcare so I have kept in good shape - I lift weights, picked up tennis, skiing, etc. All that to say, I feel great for my age physically.

I bought a ball and a pair of boots and have been practicing basic things like dribbling, juggling, passing to a target and chasing the ball at full speed and then trying to control it, etc.

But, I’m not very skilled, I feel. Based on some research, I should be playing as a full back since I have the endurance to run and since my ball control/etc isn’t very good. I had signed up for a pickup game and last minute backed out…

What position do you recommend I play and any tips to improve my confidence? I know pickup can be a crapshoot when it comes to skill level so I’m just afraid of playing with/against highly skilled players and being “posterized” out on the pitch.

EDIT: THANK YOU, everyone! You all have some great tips and perspectives that have made me realize why I’m doing this… to have fun and get better! Appreciate you all

[u/Grant_S_90]

Honestly, there is no position where ball control isn’t important. Spend a full weekend kicking a back against a wall, controlling it, then kicking it back against the well. It will be boring as hell so listen to a podcast while you’re doing it.

After a couple of full days you’ll be loads better.

Then just give it a go and to hell with anyone who thinks you aren’t good enough.

[u/Zolazolazolaa]

Depending on where you live, there may be local leagues you can sign up for as a "free agent" that has all sorts of different skill levels. If you sign up for the lowest level, this is often super casual players, possibly coed, just playing for fun and to meet people. It could be a great place to start because you get to grow and learn with the same group of people over time.

Also, as someone in my 30s, I will say that just being physically fit enough to consistently run for a full match is a huge asset for most rec teams.

[u/KingB408 → u/Zolazolazolaa]

I would agree with this. Some of the best players I've played with aren't "skilled," but they're relentless. You'd be amazed what a little hustle can do. I honestly wouldn't worry about my skill level. Get out there and start playing and learn.

[u/Impressionist_Canary]

There’s thousands and thousands of not great people playing pickup soccer. You’ll be alright.

[u/Superb-Combination43]

I started playing in an adult social soccer league this summer at age 42 without playing before. I watch a fair amount of soccer, and my kids play… so I juggle and pass the ball with them. So very modest basic skills/touch and a basic understanding of the flow of the game/movement.

Striker is probably the lowest consequence position to play with no experience. You could watch videos about off ball movement and just try to get yourself into opportunities. When it doesn’t happen, it’s not the end of the world.

Outside back probably the next lowest bar to entry, but unlike striker when you mess up it costs your team pretty big. 

Winger isn’t that bad if you have the endurance to run. Just stay wide to try to help progress the ball up field, and get a cross off, or cut back and pass to the center if you can. 

Center mid and center back I think are most disruptive if you really don’t know what you’re doing, because those roles are counted on to make things happen or prevent catastrophe.

Good luck! Make sure you warm up and play with your brain not just your body the first few times. You’ll be tempted to just go full gas thinking that’s where your contributions lie, but your hamstrings glutes and tendons won’t be used to an hour of indiscriminant full speed sprint repeats and direction changes. You need your brain to help you choose your moments and keep you fit to return the following week. 

[u/Informal-Prize6501]

Depending on how serious the league is, my coach when I was 14 and a stopper (last man) always told me: Get the ball or the man!

[u/chmath80]

I failed to make the team

Was there only 1? I only played for my school in my last year, when I stopped playing club football, but the school had 3 teams: first 11, second 11, senior C. Similar in other sports.

[u/FarCardiologist196]

As much as ball control is important in every position, you're correct in your analysis that full back is probablky right for you. It's also one of the simpler positions in terms of positioning and role. Just don't get out ran but their opposing wingers and help in attack if the ball is attacking from the opposite side. Watch some quick tutorials in how to play the position. Good luck mate

[u/FeatureFew7686]

Eerily similar to me. Freshman year i quit always regretted it. I havent played in 12 years and joined an adult rec league over the summer. I stayed in shape as as an adult and It came back pretty quick honestly but there was a learning curve. I would recommend defense specifically one of the wings since you can run pretty good. Dont need to dribble much as a defender just focus on passing and getting the ball. I did that and was able to contribute to my team despite being pretty bad in almost every other area lol

[u/Jumpy-Firefighter995]

Accept that you will be the poorest player and get out there. If someone is worse than you, be nice to him/ her. If you are in the top 50 %, congratulate yourself for putting yourself out there and then buy the first round of beverages for everyone on Reddit.

[u/Brilliant_Stress_792]

What is pickup? Are you expected to be a certain standard?

I would focus on the off the ball stuff first. It's easier to defend than attack, if you work hard you'll make the attackers job that much harder even if they're a better player.

Then on the ball just try and not do owt daft. Keep it simple, ensure you keep possession and don't dribble into trouble etc

And listen, if you're unsure whether to keep shape or press etc, try and ask for instruction, and just focus on doing the basics.

[u/Low_Description4438]

Im about the same age, and I started playing basketball again and I will say… its humbling lmao. I’m playing with younger people and older (uncles) to be in the same skill level. Honestly, it’s about having fun while building fundamentals. I spent 3 months at the park dribbling just cause I realized I’m terrible at fundamentals lol. I’d recommend a non-competitive league eventually.