I play medium tier co-ed soccer, have for the last dozen years or so. I just hit 40, am slowing down and taking longer to recover from injuries. I know my time at a fun sprinting competitivish level is coming to an end but… Sure, I’ll miss the new dope friend aspext of it but equally importantly, 3 nights a week for years, I’ve been so happy to play and for a few hours a week the world, the future, politics, none of it mattered, all that mattered was stopping the bad guys from putting a ball in the wrong place and hopefully making it go to the right place (I’m defence, that half of the field is up to the other 6)
I dunno. Hoped maybe one of you has had to do this before and can share some thoughts. (I just had my foot clipped pretty bad, know I’m out for a few weeks but just came back off another injury etc…)
Edit: Goodness gracious, you folks are all so kind and supportive. Thanks so much, I’m definitely feeling less dejected and much more hopeful about the next stage of living an active and wild life.
As someone about to hit late 40’s I can give some applicable advice here. I manage two over 30 teams, a coed and a mens team. I play on both and pick up games when invited. I’ve had a long list of injuries but always come back.
You do need to change how you play, the competitive part has to drop down a bit, basically let the younger peeps have those 50-50 balls, don’t go for headers that have any kind of pace, avoid contact with players you know are willing to injure you.
But most importantly, go to physical therapy and collect the appropriate workout. Hit that workout 3-5 times per week and don’t stop. If you can’t get your workouts in, don’t play that week.
This is heartbreakingly reasonable advice. (I play centre D so almost all the gameplay changes you suggest are my bread and butter. Probably time to learn a new position if I want to stay intact.)
Great advice on the workouts, probably safer to only play if I’ve been working out that week AND it’s great motivation to actually go to the gym.
I hear you… Man I hear you… I’m more an attacker but what I’ve found is that I’d rather play with like minded individuals that we all enjoy eachother. We don’t win most of our games anymore but we do still score goals and win games. They know that putting direct balls at my head means I’m going to let it go by. But one I can sprint on? Yeah baby, it’s a footrace. If you play center back, consider playing as a target forward. A lot of the same skills, but instead of running at players, you’re more back to goal, hold up play… Bringing your teammates into play. Finding that clutch through ball for the winger.
If you want to continue this conversation on a regular basis, I’m super up for it. We’ve got 50+ERS on our team and at this very moment I’ve been out for two months due to a back injury. You are not alone and I can help navigate.
You’re fully right on the attitude. Part of why I love these teams is somehow we keep attracting just awesome groups of people so even though everyone plays their heart out, it’s still laughs and loves when we get ragdolled.
Interesting idea moving up to forward. I always joke about how scary that half of the field is but I’m not a terrible distributor and don’t mind just being bigger at people in the box…
I’ll definitely follow up with you at some point if you’re down. Right now, I’ve got to heal this dumb foot but then, yoga, the gym and maybe slowly transitioning to forward to get some practice there with friends before trying that on a new team.
Really appreciate the kind words and support!
Of course, tag my username if you want, reach out anytime. Who knows, maybe we play in the same area.