6 a side football advice

Junior_BentsPlatformShoes

Junior_BentsPlatformShoes

Well-known member
My step-son has invited me to play 6 a side football tonight as they're short on numbers (really desperate!) and I said I'd play. The only slight issue is I'm nearly 49, whilst they're all in late 20's-30's, I'm fairly fit but haven't played for a while and they're 20 minute halves.

Apart from texting and saying I've pulled a muscle getting up from my desk, any advice re positioning etc (probably sat on floor with a pulled muscle)

Thanks in advance *awaits the 'helpful' comments.
 
I also play 6-a-side, and I'm not the fittest.

I aim for latter years Gascoigne - slightly deeper, receive the ball, try to be aware of who is moving around you, and make the pass quickly.

My teammates would probably not agree with the Gazza part :)
 
cside said:
I also play 6-a-side, and I'm not the fittest.

I aim for latter years Gascoigne - slightly deeper, receive the ball, try to be aware of who is moving around you, and make the pass quickly.

My teammates would probably not agree with the Gazza part :)
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Thanks cside - think that's the plan, play at the back, not try to dribble it out and pick out quick passes with the odd run forward.
 
I played in a vets over 40's 11 aside league until I was about 45, then that was it. Each team were allowed 3 players aged 30 to 35, which was bad enough, but there's a huge difference between 40 & 45!
Don't listen to your younger self telling you you're as fit as anyone else on the pitch - it's a delusion!
Stretch & warm up properly.
No matter how tempted you are, don't try to do short sprints, as your hamstrings & calves will go 'ping'!
Ask to play in a position that means the least amount of running (centre half or static ball playing midfield).
Use your head, receive - pass and let the ball do the work.
Good luck in avoiding a trip to the Vic 🤣 🍊
 
585 = never give up said:
I played in a vets over 40's 11 aside league until I was about 45, then that was it. Each team were allowed 3 players aged 30 to 35, which was bad enough, but there's a huge difference between 40 & 45!
Don't listen to your younger self telling you you're as fit as anyone else on the pitch - it's a delusion!
Stretch & warm up properly.
No matter how tempted you are, don't try to do short sprints, as your hamstrings & calves will go 'ping'!
Ask to play in a position that means the least amount of running (centre half or static ball playing midfield).
Use your head, receive - pass and let the ball do the work.
Good luck in avoiding a trip to the Vic 🤣 🍊
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Thanks for that, and yep the main aim is not to make an idiot of myself and be able to get into work in the morning!
 
Junior_BentsPlatformShoes said:
My step-son has invited me to play 6 a side football tonight as they're short on numbers (really desperate!) and I said I'd play. The only slight issue is I'm nearly 49, whilst they're all in late 20's-30's, I'm fairly fit but haven't played for a while and they're 20 minute halves.

Apart from texting and saying I've pulled a muscle getting up from my desk, any advice re positioning etc (probably sat on floor with a pulled muscle)

Thanks in advance *awaits the 'helpful' comments.
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Offer to play in goal at least half the time, they may be grateful, no loss of face and you might be able to cope with limited outfield play
 
Anytime someone came down to our sessions after a long time not playing they inevitably ended up doing too much and we never saw them again
So I'd advise to play within yourself
I've had to jack in as I pulled my hammy really badly last Oct and took me over three months to get over it
WF only for me now
 
TwelveAngryMen said:
Anytime someone came down to our sessions after a long time not playing they inevitably ended up doing too much and we never saw them again
So I'd advise to play within yourself
I've had to jack in as I pulled my hammy really badly last Oct and took me over three months to get over it
WF only for me now
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Thanks TAM - yep I'll try to do that but once you get playing it's hard not to push it. I'd like to do it again if things go ok, so will remind myself I'm nearly twice the age of some of them and not be silly.

Sorry to hear about the injury - I'll have to have a look at walking football, I'm 50 next year so will have to accept getting older.
 
I am early 60's and play 6-a-side with son in a mixed age/mixed ability game. My advice make sure you warm up properly, play at the back and don't over do it - keep at it and after a few months the pains/aches/niggles/etc should subside.

I also play 5-a-side where I am one of the youngest and the eldest are mid to late seventies. There are a few ex-pro's playing who are pretty fit for their age but struggle for pace.
 
bollieboy said:
I am early 60's and play 6-a-side with son in a mixed age/mixed ability game. My advice make sure you warm up properly, play at the back and don't over do it - keep at it and after a few months the pains/aches/niggles/etc should subside.

I also play 5-a-side where I am one of the youngest and the eldest are mid to late seventies. There are a few ex-pro's playing who are pretty fit for their age but struggle for pace.
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Thanks Bollie - similar to TAM's advice as in not overdoing it. Impressive still playing, even more impressive there are blokes in mid-70's still doing it!
 
TAM, where you playing WF these days? I went back to Aspire with the community Trust on a Monday & Thursday 5pm. Cant always recover enough to do both, & I'm a fair weather footballer, but after the Vets with you & the lads at Fylde (which I thoroughly loved & a great set of lads who I do miss) I think I have found my level... A lot less injuries, & Im now one of the youngsters, not the oldest!!
 
Junior_BentsPlatformShoes said:
Thanks TAM - yep I'll try to do that but once you get playing it's hard not to push it. I'd like to do it again if things go ok, so will remind myself I'm nearly twice the age of some of them and not be silly.

Sorry to hear about the injury - I'll have to have a look at walking football, I'm 50 next year so will have to accept getting older.
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We are always looking for players for our Wednesday session - and also play in a league about once a month usually at the weekend
There's some 40+ play and its a decent workout
PM me if you fancy giving it a try
 
Limechase said:
TAM, where you playing WF these days? I went back to Aspire with the community Trust on a Monday & Thursday 5pm. Cant always recover enough to do both, & I'm a fair weather footballer, but after the Vets with you & the lads at Fylde (which I thoroughly loved & a great set of lads who I do miss) I think I have found my level... A lot less injuries, & Im now one of the youngsters, not the oldest!!
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We play Wednesdays at Playfootball on the 7 aside
7-pm
Walking only ( though we have done the odd ten mins of slower paced running ) and mixed ability as well as having a league side
You'd be more than welcome
 
This sounds the ideal moment to release your inner Corporal Hendo - bestriding the centre circle like a mighty colossus, pointy finger at the ready, bellowing the orders. Check in with Bendit, I hear he's a big fan 👍
 
Make sure you stretch properly beforehand.

Start slowly and don't over do it, ease yourself into it.

I'm 41 and play with lads ranging between 17 and mostly in their 30's. In fact I am the oldest there.

Each week I pace myself and usually grow into it.

If you are blowing at any point, demand to go in goal for a few mins 😄
 
Beverleypool said:
On Sunday next,if the weather holds
We’ll have that game but I bagsy being in goal
Not because I’m good or because I think I should
It’s just that at my age I think standing still would really suit me best
Do we all agree?
Gilbert O’Sullivan - We will (1971)
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dont mind a bit of ol Gilbert O Sullivan. Alone Again. BRILLIANT.
 
Some sound advice here, knew I wouldn't be disappointed. So, ease myself into it then clatter anything, point my finger and shout a lot, blame others for not defending properly and go in goal when it's apparent it's me not picking up runners. Think I've got it 👍
 
Pun_1 said:
Make sure you stretch properly beforehand.

Start slowly and don't over do it, ease yourself into it.

I'm 41 and play with lads ranging between 17 and mostly in their 30's. In fact I am the oldest there.

Each week I pace myself and usually grow into it.

If you are blowing at any point, demand to go in goal for a few mins 😄
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'If' you are blowing? I think you've vastly over estimated my fitness.... I'll give myself 5-10 minutes!
 
Being fit is half the battle with 5/6 a side.

I would suggest sitting back to start, get a couple of early tackles in, passing the ball about simply and your confidence will soon grow and then you’ll naturally want to push forward more.

I’m 33 now and have played 5 a side since turning 16/17 and I’ve definitely lost my pace & fitness so I do what I’ve advised you to do, keep it very simple to start then let my confidence grow.

As I say though, if you have fitness on your side that’s a massive bonus.

Most important aspect for small sided football for me is to be disciplined and pick a man and stick with him when defending and do it as a team, soon as someone loses a man it gets difficult.

Best of luck mate and let us know how it goes!
 
PR3BFC said:
Being fit is half the battle with 5/6 a side.

I would suggest sitting back to start, get a couple of early tackles in, passing the ball about simply and your confidence will soon grow and then you’ll naturally want to push forward more.

I’m 33 now and have played 5 a side since turning 16/17 and I’ve definitely lost my pace & fitness so I do what I’ve advised you to do, keep it very simple to start then let my confidence grow.

As I say though, if you have fitness on your side that’s a massive bonus.

Most important aspect for small sided football for me is to be disciplined and pick a man and stick with him when defending and do it as a team, soon as someone loses a man it gets difficult.

Best of luck mate and let us know how it goes!
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‘Being fit is half the battle with 5/6 a side.

I would suggest sitting back to start, get a couple of early tackles in, passing the ball about simply and your confidence will soon grow and then you’ll naturally want to push forward more.’

That’s pretty much what I did! - back home, legs still attached and really enjoyed. Nice that other team had a couple of blokes with beer bellies who ran out of steam more than me last ten mins. Bit gutted that we got beat 3-2 with last kick of game from a corner (relieved it wasn’t who I was picking up).
Kept it simple playing at the back, had a few goes in midfield and runs with a couple of shots on goal, but mainly stayed behind the ball while sticking with one of their players 👍 Got a nice lump on my shin but otherwise all good.
Would definitely do it again…
 
SydneyTangerine said:
Just recovered from doing left achilles ..then did the right one straight after 🤦. Prob pushed too hard, ..didn't warm up properly and forgot how old I was. Top tip ..start slow, just give some easy passes to get your confidence up, and warm up. Play at Poolfoot twice a week which I love. Over 70 now 🤷🐘🐘
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I made sure I warmed up and stretched, started slow with straight forward passes too. Hard work is building your touch up and getting used to the pitch. Otherwise really enjoyed it.
Well done you for still playing at over 70, decent knock that 👍
 
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I play both walking football and vets football and I am 64 . You will not have the speed or ability to beat players upfront ,and if you play midfield ,you will be buggered after the first 20 . If I were you I would play at the back and try and at least slow the opposition down till the cavalry arrive . The worst that can happen is they get past you , but getting a foot in and winning the ball is a bonus and you wont have to run as much.
While I am writing I may as well recommend the walking football as you are only a year off being eligable. Don't let the term "walking " put you off ,its great fun and it can be hard work . Fleetwood have the best facilities and have their own website.
 
WIZARD OF TANGERINE said:
I play both walking football and vets football and I am 64 . You will not have the speed or ability to beat players upfront ,and if you play midfield ,you will be buggered after the first 20 . If I were you I would play at the back and try and at least slow the opposition down till the cavalry arrive . The worst that can happen is they get past you , but getting a foot in and winning the ball is a bonus and you wont have to run as much.
While I am writing I may as well recommend the walking football as you are only a year off being eligable. Don't let the term "walking " put you off ,its great fun and it can be hard work . Fleetwood have the best facilities and have their own website.
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That's pretty much what I did last night Wizard and was reasonably happy with how I played - found that staying at the back and picking up someone worked most of the time even though players rotated. I'll give it another go next week - I live near Leyland and the games are in Preston at this high school, facilities are pretty good:
www.leisureleagues.net

Preston 6-a-side Football | Christ the king high school

Play 5-a-side football near me. Local 5-a-side and 6-a-side leagues in Preston
www.leisureleagues.net www.leisureleagues.net
 
I played until I was 56 (recently). The average age kept being young and some talented players; several northern league players; one Sunderland scholar and occasionally Tino Aspilla. My advice is don’t run around too much judge your own pace and probably best to sit at the back. Don’t hold the ball for too long and use body mass effectively by shielding the ball. We had many people over the years who managed less than 30 mins once and just could not hack it as they put too much in.
 
Cuthbert said:
I played until I was 56 (recently). The average age kept being young and some talented players; several northern league players; one Sunderland scholar and occasionally Tino Aspilla. My advice is don’t run around too much judge your own pace and probably best to sit at the back. Don’t hold the ball for too long and use body mass effectively by shielding the ball. We had many people over the years who managed less than 30 mins once and just could not hack it as they put too much in.
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That's pretty much what I did, stayed at the back, looked up for passes on, kept it simple, got foot in and stayed goal side of their forwards. It was the pace of the game it took me a while to get used to with speed of movement and being aware of what was around me. I'll be back next week...
 
Junior_BentsPlatformShoes said:
That's pretty much what I did last night Wizard and was reasonably happy with how I played - found that staying at the back and picking up someone worked most of the time even though players rotated. I'll give it another go next week - I live near Leyland and the games are in Preston at this high school, facilities are pretty good:
www.leisureleagues.net

Preston 6-a-side Football | Christ the king high school

Play 5-a-side football near me. Local 5-a-side and 6-a-side leagues in Preston
www.leisureleagues.net www.leisureleagues.net
Click to expand...

Do you play on a third of a normal pitch but from side to side?

Used to do similar at Preston College before covid.
 
Junior_BentsPlatformShoes said:
That's pretty much what I did, stayed at the back, looked up for passes on, kept it simple, got foot in and stayed goal side of their forwards. It was the pace of the game it took me a while to get used to with speed of movement and being aware of what was around me. I'll be back next week...
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I broke my leg and then retuned the first game back after 5 years (11 a side) was a shambles as i tried to keep pace with people who I had no right to be on the pitch with. Keep playing Junior its great bur the body does suffer but it kept my weight down and you feel mentally young.
 
Cuthbert said:
I broke my leg and then retuned the first game back after 5 years (11 a side) was a shambles as i tried to keep pace with people who I had no right to be on the pitch with. Keep playing Junior its great bur the body does suffer but it kept my weight down and you feel mentally young.
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Sorry to hear about the leg and return, are you still playing?
I'll admit this morning I'm sore , did karate last night after the football on Monday, about as supple as toast this morning!
 
*UPDATE* for anyone that's interested in the slow breakdown of a nearly 49 year old man choosing to play football on a Monday night instead of watching Wheeler Dealer reruns, as he should.
Game 2 was played on a cold, wet and windy night. We stared brightly in the first 60 seconds, then faded badly as the goals started to go in. For the opposition. We were run ragged for the next half an hour, finishing with a 9-2 defeat. The other team were all 18 year olds, and were pretty good. We were not. They were far too quick at getting up and down the pitch.
This morning, I have two very sore legs and a badly bruised left middle finger (Not through sticking up at team mates, but through a tackle, not sure how).

A 2 week break now to consider my life choices....
 
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