Gonna try my hand at some indoor soccer this weekend. Wish me luck. I'm looking to get into the spring session coming up in March. I've never played soccer in my life. I consider myself athletic and have always been able to pick up any club/bat/ball and pick up things fairly quick. That being said I'm kind of nervous about this. Any tips I know a lot of my xbox guys play indoor.
http://forums.traditionsportsonline.com/threads/rl-football.56786/page-4 might find some good stuff in here.
the boards are your friend, use them as an extra defender on defense, use them for a free give and go on offense, and bank shots to your teammates in place of crosses, all effective strategies indoors that don't apply outdoors. its a much faster game than outdoor, more like hockey in terms of short shifts with lots of sprints and quick play.
We started a new season 2 weeks ago indoor coed with my wife. I think you are the guy on the team we played against It was a team that had little clue about soccer, not to mention indoor part of it. It was a little tense at the beginning cos some of our players got frustrated due to roughness, but it was clearly cos the other team didn't know what they were doing, rather than being rough on us. I was having difficulty keeping my captain cool (funny huh, it should be his job). They were bunch of athletic guys and girls, mostly college age, probably went out there to have fun and socialize, with a few assholes merged in the team. Once we ran away with the score things got chilled. Personally I didn't have fun, neither really got to exercise. My wife defined the situation brilliantly after the game. She was like "it'd be like me taking a bunch of my soccer team mates and be like [HEY! let's go join a basketball league]". Made me laugh, but it was so true. Anyways, just a funny story I wanted to share, and what you may probably look like to someone else on the field.
Haha, kinda like what Hedache said, but typically there's a lot of guys there that will be willing to help the newbies out too if they're open to it. I know The Richuation was in a similar situation as you over the summer, and learned a ton from some of the open fields we went to.
I'm sure I will be bad, and I definitely understand your analogy hedache. I've seen guys playing pickup basketball or whatever who you're like "what are we doing here?" On the other hand though I'm really excited about trying something new and learning a new sport. Theres also an outdoor league that starts in April that I may look to do if I have a blast with this.
Indoor is great as a learning tool because you get alot more touches and action than outdoors. The pace is high and theres a lot of scoring, so if you make a mistake its not the end of the world. A good learning environment, unless youre in a competitive league. Heading to an indoor game now
Is tonight the night? Starting out on indoor is going to be tough. Outdoor offer alot more space, which equates to time for us. Small spaces + poor touch = no touches haha. Much like they said to me last summer about starting out, I would focus on trapping and passing. Trapping, or controlling the incoming passes is much harder than it looks on TV. After a winter indoors, I am ready to get back outside and have some room to move. Don't get caught up in using the boards... just play hard, try to trap and pass... and keep moving. Oh yeah, and show for the ball. At first you will have a tendency to hide from the ball, but keep showing anyway. It will also help to learn some of the lingo... drop, square, switch, line, etc...
Sunday is the night... 6:30. I'll be sure to update how it goes afterwards. Thanks for the tips Rich. You glad you took the plunge and gave it a try?
oh hell yes... i love it. We have league games every sunday night... gives you something to look forward to. then in the summer, there are more pick up nights than you would ever need. Its the improvement that makes things fun... and getting to know all of the guys in the league. I have basically committed myself to being a tough defender and it works for our team. They know my limitations, but im happily willing to do the dirty work in the back. Once we get ahead by a few I will start moving up the pitch and trying to do something.
So basically here where I don't know anybody I will start out the league as a house player/free agent and play on teams where needed or whatnot (from what I understand). Hopefully I can get some time.
I play indoor every Sunday mostly its just pickup games there are a lot of variety of skills. From people like me who should be playing in college, to those who have hardly ever touched a ball. I agree with the small space but it will allow you to develop a touch on the ball and a feel for how to play in tight situations a lot quicker then outdoor which I think is a good thing for "newer players" per say. Just do your best, try to think before you get the ball and play simple and I'm sure you will be able to get on and make some noise
Haha I'm sooo tired. I'll do a quick one though. Played 7 vs 7 indoor it was pickup night and there was a slightly older crowd (I'm 24) but all the guys and girls were great. I almost pulled a The Richuation as someone whizzed a cross by me I made the instinctive move to throw my hands up but caught myself and didn't touch the ball. For a guy who considers himself in decent shape though I realized just how out of shape I was. I was literally gassed at times. For the most part I played defense, a mix of Left and Right back. It was very laid back and not very high pressure so I did what many of the guys suggested and just worked on trapping the ball when I got it and making crisp passes. I pushed forward at times and did well finding people. I even had a pretty decent assist. For a guy thats played the big american sports most of my life its challening but fun to really work with your feet. I have a long way to go. Trapping and passing arent terrible for me, but there were times I really looked foolish out there too. I also got a turn at keeper after I was a little gassed and it was honestly a good fit. Might actually be my best position, nothing got past me. I played catcher in college so it was my job to keep the ball in front of me so this was a natural position. Its also pretty easy for me to whiz the ball well past half court if needed. I want to work at the other positions though and really develop my foot skills though and get more comfortable. I will definitely be back next Sunday, and am looking to join their Thursday night under 30 league. My roomate and a girl I know from class went with me so I wasn't totally alone out there but everybody was very cool and welcoming.
Nice man... It's great isn't it? Update from today... 1 goal, 2 assists... Best game yet. Only took a year to have a good game haha.
hammerhead1010 if you want to be the most popular guy of all time, be a keeper. They're harder to find than the holy grail. You'll be the most wanted guy of pickup night... But, it's just not as fun lol
I agree, its definitely a good fit for me but I want to do indoor for the cardio and working on my foot skills. Oh well we will see.
do u play on turf or is it a floor? When I coach indoor soccer to kids, I explain them that it is ALOT harder to play than outdoor. Thee grass on the fields offer alot a friction in slowing the ball down and allowing you more time to control it. On the hard floor of a gym, little toches make the ball run away too easy, and u really need to think ainbout control. Good luck have fun I have been playing for over 35 years, it is a great game to play and love.
It's actually turf, a very nice facility I'll snap a pic this week. I could see how the hardwood floors could make it a lot more difficult though.
I played nearly 4 hours yesterday. My feet, ankle, back, and head are killing me. I'm getting too old for this. But man I love it.
