I'm about to share a bold statement that might resonate with many of us: I'm terrible at football, yet I absolutely love playing it. But here's the twist: can I transform my game completely, even in my mid-30s? Let's dive into this journey and explore the possibilities.
For 15 years, I've been playing football, and you might assume I'm decent. But the truth is, I'm far from it. My coordination is lacking, and my shots are not exactly goal-worthy. Despite my dedication, these aspects haven't improved much.
The reason I play football is simple: it brings me joy. From the excitement of the first whistle to the thrill of a successful tackle or pass, and the freedom from worries once the game begins, it's a rush like no other. So, until recently, my lack of skill didn't bother me much. Growing up, football was largely a men's sport, and opportunities for girls were limited. Back in the 90s, there were only about 80 girls' football clubs in England, a far cry from the over 12,000 we see today. The women's premier league didn't even exist until 1994! So, as someone who remembers being kicked off the pitch by boys, just being able to play was a blessing.
But over time, I started feeling discouraged by my lack of progress. I'm tired of joining beginner teams, only to see newcomers surpass me by the end of the season. I wanted to break this cycle and see if I could improve, even at my age, especially with kids and limited time.
So, I decided to take action and seek help. I contacted my coach, Wayne Phillips, known for his work with women's teams, and he warned me it would be a battle. But I was determined.
Phillips believes that football skills can be broken down into core principles: physical ability, technical skills, social attributes, and psychology. We agreed on a rigorous training schedule, including one-on-one sessions, group training, and weekly matches.
In our first session, we worked on dribbling and turning, but I struggled to keep control of the ball. We practiced deceptive moves like the Cruyff turn and step-overs, but I failed miserably. By the end, I felt discouraged, thinking the standard was too high.
As I continued my training, I realized that my approach to football had been holding me back. I treated it like a casual affair, nervous to take it seriously, fearing disappointment. I always played defense, a position I thought required less skill, where I could be aggressive and get away with it. But Phillips saw through this and encouraged me to expand my repertoire.
He taught me about creating angles, receiving and passing from different positions, and taking the ball in unexpected directions. We worked on my ability to receive the ball on my back foot and make reverse passes. Gradually, I started to improve, learning to receive passes while in motion.
However, progress wasn't linear. In matches, I often felt embarrassed, making rookie mistakes and struggling with basic skills. But Phillips reminded me that setbacks are part of the improvement process.
A friend shared a metaphor with me about trumpet playing. Many good trumpet players, to go pro, have to relearn their embouchure, or mouth position. It's a process of fixing and refining. This resonated with me, as I realized I was trying to define the direction of play instead of reacting to it, which brought back old mistakes.
I remembered the advice from a teammate in New York about cushioning the ball with my foot. I had neglected this and other fundamentals while focusing on new skills. But once I refocused on the basics, my game started to improve. I scored a header in a group session and started combining tricks in sequences. I even wondered if I could be a striker!
Phillips noticed the transformation and praised my clean actions. He recalled how he initially wondered how to help me, but now he was proud of my progress.
I had a similar realization a few years ago when I decided to become a better footballer. I joined a good seven-a-side team in New York and practiced daily, improving my kick-ups and passing. It was a year of dedicated practice, and while I wasn't great, I did get better.
Time was a challenge with my busy schedule and breastfeeding my second child. But I found that putting in carefully planned hours made a difference. In our last session, I used my new skills of misdirection to get past Phillips, winning almost every time.
Phillips noticed my dedication, commenting on how I take my life seriously. He saw my efforts to stay fit and injury-free, which I had felt were necessary compensations for my lack of skill. It was a nice reframe, and it made me realize how impressive my commitment was.
To conclude our journey together, Phillips came to watch me play in a match. It was a tough mixed five-a-side game, but as I walked off the muddy pitch, I felt a sense of accomplishment. I might not be the best footballer, but I set a goal to improve, and I believe I achieved it. That feeling of progress is worth it all.
So, can you change your game completely in your mid-30s? My experience suggests yes, with dedication and the right mindset. What do you think? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments!
