Be Gentle With Me, It’s My First Time: A 53 Year Old Footy Rookie

OCST

Sunny von Bulow
SoSH Member
Jan 10, 2004
24,483
The 718
My spring 7v7 team won last night, 3-0. A complete performance over 50 minutes. Several near misses in the first half, easily could have had 3 or 4 more.

And a clean sheet, with me in goal for the first half, and the team captain in the second. I was less busy than my opposite number. I made one clean save, saved another but the whistle had gone just before (still I had positioned myself properly), and came out and collected well a few times. My first goal kick was a terrible shank but after that I completed all but one pass, including a line-drive punt that, after clearing an attackers head by an inch, hit my CM in stride in the attacking half and led to a chance.

And there’s video!

View: https://youtu.be/cl5PCy0QdIc


That’s me in the orange. My side has gray shirts, the opponents are in white.

The big action is me wading into some pinball and going to the floor to collect. The other striker was a tool and it was fun to pick the ball off his foot.

Looking at this, I feel pretty good. I think I’m decently positioned, maybe should be hugging my near post a bit more? but felt like I had a good read on everything in front of me.

And my wife and daughter saw me play for the first time (Mrs O took the video). Referencing my OP, this is a season of big change for me, personally and professionally, and for multiple reasons it’s doing my body and my mind a ton of good to be doing this. I admit I was nervous when I saw my wife daughter (and dog) show up and that’s when I hit my goal kick into the next game over, but I was glad that my kid saw me make a mistake, you know? She’s 13, and in coaching her at softball I’ve counseled the value of putting yourself out there, not being afraid to fail, keeping your head in the game, all that stuff, and I’m walking the walk with a bunch of players who are young enough to be my kids (no one seems to realize or care how much older I am, probably because I shave my head I can pass for much younger). My wife told me my kid was thrilled to watch, and when I kissed her good night she said “ Good job, Dad, I’m proud of you, you were really good. I’m glad you’re doing this and I’m glad it’s making you happy, you deserve it.”

I might have been cutting up some onions after she said that.

I played a few minutes at right mid in the second half. By then the sun had gone down and it was bitter cold and the wind was brutal. I didn’t affect the game much in either direction. Drew a foul, that’s about it. Didn’t have the same level of confidence that I do in goal (it was my first outfield game time) and definitely felt my age in a wide spot, sprinting after balls to try to keep them in play.

The video gives you an idea of how awesome the views are from this pier. Those vertical metal beams around the perimeter are the remnants of the warehouses that used to be on these piers before they were converted to park (there are a few left, they are favorite locations for murder victim discovery and contraband hiding places on the various Law & Order shows). The breeze is lovely in the summer but holy balls it was cold last night.

So this league goes through late May, and on Monday I start keeper lessons in a park in Chinatown, also through May.
 

CreightonGubanich

Member
SoSH Member
Dec 13, 2006
1,379
north shore, MA
Not a rookie here, as I've been playing keeper full time since middle school, but I'm working my way back from a torn Achilles that I suffered last November playing indoor (if you want to know what it looked like, google Brad Guzan's injury. It was the exact same play.) My goal was to be in net for game 1 of the first indoor session this past fall, so a little less than a year after the injury. I did, and it was a weird experience at first. I could run, but at that point hadn't done any kind of pushing off, changing direction, or jumping off the bad ankle. First half-dozen games or so, it felt like when I dove to my left I was falling off to the side rather than getting that explosive push I was used to. But a few months in now, I feel like I'm most of the way back. Ankle feels good, if a little tight, and I'm no longer thinking about it when I play. I ended up playing on a couple teams, one in the top division and another in the middle division in the adult co-ed league. The top division is good mix of mostly former D-III level players with an occasional D-1 or former pro ringer or two mixed in (Angie Salem played there last year when she was coaching at Springfield).

All said, I've probably played more this year than ever. I'd guess around 30 games over the course of the indoor season, and we just signed up for a spring 7-v-7 league. It's nice to still be able to compete as a soon-to-be 37 year old coming off a major injury.

Cheers, and keep up the good work!
 

DJnVa

Dorito Dawg
SoSH Member
Dec 16, 2010
53,854
Still playing?

We had Tuesday night indoor playoffs last night. 4-4 through regulation and a 5 minute golden goal, so onto PKs, which is 3 kickers. My team goes 0 for 3, with 2 not even on frame, the other hit right at keeper. Other team misses first 2 (one off frame, one I make easy save) then I get beat on final PK.

Wednesday night playoffs tonight and first opponent has no one older than about 23 on team and they get REALLY aggressive when they go down to a team with, shall we say, more "seasoned" players. We've beat them twice, but they wear us out.
 

OCST

Sunny von Bulow
SoSH Member
Jan 10, 2004
24,483
The 718
Yep, still playing, and enjoying.

Had a terrible game last week. We won 7-2 and I let in the only two shots on frame- one I scooped but it bounced out, one a hard shot fizzed along the turf about 2 feet to my left that I couldn’t get down for- seems that’s a tough spot- further away and the dive is easier.

Worse, my distribution was crap. Tentative. Put too many balls onto attackers by no getting them out to my teammates with enough force.

The other side had a bunch of latecomers and started with only 5 vs our 7. We racked up goals and had 90% of the ball. Didn’t see a shot the whole first half. I think that dulled me. Im usually aggressive in my distribution but with 2 guys always free I played it safe, no need to force it, and by the time they had a full side I was just feeling too passive. All probably excuses but I just felt timid all game where some games I’m aggressive to the point of getting myself or someone else hurt.

Had good practice Monday so looking forward to Saturday
 

DJnVa

Dorito Dawg
SoSH Member
Dec 16, 2010
53,854
And all strikers are tools.
I had one of my strikers last night, after I got beat 5-hole, yell "Close your legs, how hard is that?" I mean, it's not hard. But I'll give up a hell of a lot more goals if I stand there with my feet together while my midfield and defense is overrun with attackers cuz you won't get back and I'm in no position to move laterally, but what do I know, I'm just the keeper.
 

SocrManiac

Tommy Seebach’s mustache
SoSH Member
Apr 15, 2006
8,634
Somers, CT
I had one of my strikers last night, after I got beat 5-hole, yell "Close your legs, how hard is that?" I mean, it's not hard. But I'll give up a hell of a lot more goals if I stand there with my feet together while my midfield and defense is overrun with attackers cuz you won't get back and I'm in no position to move laterally, but what do I know, I'm just the keeper.
My strategy with a forward like this is to quietly take him aside after each half for a few weeks and point out any misses. “How hard is it to put it on frame?”

Strikers are divas that failed as goalkeepers.
 

OCST

Sunny von Bulow
SoSH Member
Jan 10, 2004
24,483
The 718
Left hand typing in urgent care as I wait for X-ray Went into game last night in 3rd place in 8 team league, top 4 make playoffs. We were 3-3 with + 4 GD, going up against 5-1 2d place side with + 19 GD, we drew 3-3, very physical game. Late in 2d half stopped a screamer from 10 yards with a “strong right hand” and felt big pain as wrist bent back. Diagnosis to follow.
 

SocrManiac

Tommy Seebach’s mustache
SoSH Member
Apr 15, 2006
8,634
Somers, CT
Every working beer leaguer’s worst nightmare… The only real rule is “don’t get injured.” Best of luck.
 

OCST

Sunny von Bulow
SoSH Member
Jan 10, 2004
24,483
The 718
Avulsion fracture of the right distal radius. Splint for 6+ weeks, then PT, unless MRI indicates ligament damage requiring surgery.
 

OCST

Sunny von Bulow
SoSH Member
Jan 10, 2004
24,483
The 718
And thus, the question, "Am I too old for this?" is answered loudly.
I'm sure that was in the spirit of commiseration, or empathy, for something like that, but really, no.


I've really enjoyed learning how to play. It's kept me in good shape. Doing something with a steep learning curve has helped me get out of my own head, which can be a problem I've met some good people. It's giving me something to look forward to a couple times a week. I've learned more about the game, and watching the pl it's pretty much my biggest hobby these days, so really, it's been great

It's a broken bone. It's not an injury that is the result of being old or out of shape. When I was cramping, I was worried about that, but changes in nutrition and warm up, and I'm not cramping anymore. If I were pulling himmy's, , okay, but I'm not. So I have every intent, giving a decent period post injury to make sure that I fully recover, to start playing again. I already miss it.


Done with voice recognition software, pardon the errors, I'm not going back to fix them
 

SocrManiac

Tommy Seebach’s mustache
SoSH Member
Apr 15, 2006
8,634
Somers, CT
I’ve broken several bones in my over 30 (and now over 40) years. I don’t think I can chalk any of them up to my age. Actually, the most recent (a rub this year) I’d blame on the other guy’s age. He doesn’t move like he once did and his attempt to clear me on the ground didn’t work out like it would have when he was 25.

The dark cloud hanging over any beer leaguer’s head is the threat of an ACL popping, and that’s not really up to age, either.

I’m glad you intend to get back on the horse.
 

Bob Montgomerys Helmet Hat

has big, douchey shoulders
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
I'm sure that was in the spirit of commiseration, or empathy, for something like that, but really, no.


I've really enjoyed learning how to play. It's kept me in good shape. Doing something with a steep learning curve has helped me get out of my own head, which can be a problem I've met some good people. It's giving me something to look forward to a couple times a week. I've learned more about the game, and watching the pl it's pretty much my biggest hobby these days, so really, it's been great

It's a broken bone. It's not an injury that is the result of being old or out of shape. When I was cramping, I was worried about that, but changes in nutrition and warm up, and I'm not cramping anymore. If I were pulling himmy's, , okay, but I'm not. So I have every intent, giving a decent period post injury to make sure that I fully recover, to start playing again. I already miss it.


Done with voice recognition software, pardon the errors, I'm not going back to fix them
It was just a bad joke by an older guy who had to give up playing basketball because my body couldn't take it anymore. I think it's great that you did this, and I'm jealous.
 

InstaFace

The Ultimate One
SoSH Member
Sep 27, 2016
21,770
Pittsburgh, PA
I feel you on that last post, OCST. I'm 40, not 53, but I play a much-younger-person's sport and persist at it because of basically all the reasons you lay out. My age-related failures have a lot more to do with carrying extra weight and a lack of commitment to focused training on specific skills (jumping, first-step acceleration, etc) that would help me. Even if I got a substantial injury that kept me out, I would probably chalk up anything other than an ACL to just bad luck or preparation rather than concluding "I'm too old for this shit".

I suppose at some point our body tells us it's time to stop sprinting around a field with a bunch of 25-year-olds, but in a non-contact sport those messages do seem pretty far off still. And for your purposes, playing goalie in rec soccer is pretty much a non-contact sport - you're not braving concussions routinely, or taking the kicks and scratches and shoves of a midfielder.
 

DJnVa

Dorito Dawg
SoSH Member
Dec 16, 2010
53,854
Had a hell of an own goal last night.

Ball played back to me from my left, a short pass. There was some pressure so I should have immediately played it right back or just booted it. I did not, and looked to the right where a player was dropping down to receive the ball. However the other team was pressing and that pass would've been dangerous so I feinted back to the left to get the presser to change direction, etc. then immediately went back to the right....and with my weaker left foot, hooked it off the post any into my goal.
 

OCST

Sunny von Bulow
SoSH Member
Jan 10, 2004
24,483
The 718
Scurry’s story is quite something. I only realized after the book brought it to my attention that she did not have the same post-99 visibility as Foudy, Hamm, Chastain etc and I didn’t know why- she took a knee to the head in a game and suffered a traumatic brain injury. Life fell apart, poverty, alcoholism, depression, really harrowing. Less lurid but also fascinating from a pure footy standpoint, is her talking about developing into a world class keeper at a time when the coaching and infrastructure didn’t support that- she was on a steep learning curve essentially self taught for years.
 

DJnVa

Dorito Dawg
SoSH Member
Dec 16, 2010
53,854
We've had a few days of adult league drama, started by the one keeper that thinks we're playing for the World Cup and appears to have anger issues.

In a league final of a coed indoor league, a female player had her back to the keeper, about 15 feet in front of the goal. The keeper's area in this league is like a basketball key and she was at the top of the key. The ball was played to her and the keeper (about 6'1, 215) dove shoulder first through her legs. Broke both bones in her right leg, and apparently the break sounded like a gunshot. I was playing on another field at the time and didn't see this, but I did see her getting wheeled out on stretcher later.

Keeper, who has a rep among every player at this facility for being overly rough, got a straight red (got a yellow earlier) and as he was leaving the field, got into an altercation with a spectator. His mom (who, based on history, had likely consumed multiple adult beverages) started going off, claiming that the injured party was faking it. Keeper's sister was on team too and she was dropping f-bombs on people.

The next day, the facebook group for these leagues exploded, with everyone saying this keeper is a known a-hole, and one friend of the keeper claiming it was a clear accident, just a soccer play that went wrong, and well, that went as well as you might expect.

There's now a gofundme for the injured lady--she had surgery the day after the incident.
 

67YAZ

Member
SoSH Member
Dec 1, 2000
8,733
That’s fucked. That keeper needs to be banned from the league/complex. I’m sure the league’s insurer would suggest that, too.

Several years back we had a keeper who was very active & jumped off his line aggressively. On one play, an attacker took a heavy touch around me in the box, so the keeper jumped on it. The attacker didn’t slow up though, and put his foot right into the keeper’s midsection. And then kept at it. So I knocked the attacker on his backside with a 2 hand shove. The ref carded both the attacker and me, told us that the goal of this league was to not get hurt. If we played like that again, he’d personally have us banned. Fair enough.
 

Morgan's Magic Snowplow

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 2, 2006
22,345
Philadelphia
Played for the first time in about six years in a men’s league tonight and tweaked my groin literally 20 seconds into the match. Played through it and currently icing. Getting old sucks.
 

SocrManiac

Tommy Seebach’s mustache
SoSH Member
Apr 15, 2006
8,634
Somers, CT
Free advice (and worth the electrons it’s on) is that part of getting old is not playing through it. Those stories rarely end well.
 

Saints Rest

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
I played outdoor, full-field, 11v11 (actually was 13 v 13 at one point) soccer last night. My first time playing full-field outdoors in something like 40 years (I'm 56). I've been playing indoor 5v5 for years, but even that I hadn't played more than 2 or 3 times since pre-COVID.

Fortunately the average age of this group was close to my age, and the skill level felt like I was somewhere right in the middle.

After the game, over beers, one of the regulars said "I passed it you with no idea if you knew anything about soccer, but I could tell from your first touch that this guy knew how to play."

I'm hoping that with pickup hoops on Fridays and soccer on Tuesdays, I might get in better shape, which will help my play in both.
 

OCST

Sunny von Bulow
SoSH Member
Jan 10, 2004
24,483
The 718
That’s great. Glad to hear it, it gives me hope. I’m recovered from my wrist fracture but still another month out from playing keeper again, bone needs a little more time to set to reduce risk of fracture in the same spot again. So I’ll play MF/CB for a few weeks and I’m really rusty and need to get back into shape.