Getting back into sports you last played as a teenager
Discussion
Has anyone done this?
I used to play cricket, up to the age of about 14, then I gave it up to play squash instead. These days I just go to the gym, and go karting every two months or so, but it's not the same as playing regular sport like I used to. I never stopped watching cricket, and I fancy another crack at it.
Thing is though, I have this nasty feeling I've completely forgotten how to play cricket properly.
Has anyone on here got back into a sport they used to play and not disappointed themselves/made a complete hash of it? What's the best way to do it?
I used to play cricket, up to the age of about 14, then I gave it up to play squash instead. These days I just go to the gym, and go karting every two months or so, but it's not the same as playing regular sport like I used to. I never stopped watching cricket, and I fancy another crack at it.
Thing is though, I have this nasty feeling I've completely forgotten how to play cricket properly.
Has anyone on here got back into a sport they used to play and not disappointed themselves/made a complete hash of it? What's the best way to do it?
Original Poster said:
The best way to do it is very simple, simply do it!
What have you got to loose?
I guess the thing with cricket is that it's a team sport as opposed to individual, so if you're no good or extremely rusty, dropping catches everywhere, bowling whole overs of no-balls and being generally crap with the bat, you just end up pissing the team off. I'm too old to go to one of those 'summer coaching schools' aimed at kids on their summer holidays, I just wondered if there was any way to get back into a sport and learn a bit about it even if you're past (and in no way destined even remotely for) professional play.What have you got to loose?
All the local (South Manchester) 'get into cricket' clubs are aimed squarely at kids - is there anything for slightly rusty adults who haven't swung a bat in anger in about 12 years?
Twincam16 said:
Original Poster said:
The best way to do it is very simple, simply do it!
What have you got to loose?
I guess the thing with cricket is that it's a team sport as opposed to individual, so if you're no good or extremely rusty, dropping catches everywhere, bowling whole overs of no-balls and being generally crap with the bat, you just end up pissing the team off. I'm too old to go to one of those 'summer coaching schools' aimed at kids on their summer holidays, I just wondered if there was any way to get back into a sport and learn a bit about it even if you're past (and in no way destined even remotely for) professional play.What have you got to loose?
All the local (South Manchester) 'get into cricket' clubs are aimed squarely at kids - is there anything for slightly rusty adults who haven't swung a bat in anger in about 12 years?
I'd just go along to a few cricket clubs and ask about adult teams needing players.
Do it.
My advice would be to join a big club with regular net sessions. A big club is more likely to have a spread of ability (ie 1st XIs down to 3rds or 4ths). Also, a big club is more likely to have youth setup, which means that it should have couple of qualified coaches around who could help you.
Cricket is more about technique than anything else, IMHO, and if you could basically bat/bowl, I doubt you are now inept. Fielding can be learnt.
I play league cricket at a pretty low level (bottom division of Notts South League) and whilst not being very good, I bloody love it. We do our best, win or lose. Cricket, with its solitary/team balance can, like all sports, be cruel.
My wife, however, hates it - one whole day a weekend, at least, from April to Sepetember (as well as winter nets, midweek games and the inevitable social stuff) does not make me a popular bunny.
My advice would be to join a big club with regular net sessions. A big club is more likely to have a spread of ability (ie 1st XIs down to 3rds or 4ths). Also, a big club is more likely to have youth setup, which means that it should have couple of qualified coaches around who could help you.
Cricket is more about technique than anything else, IMHO, and if you could basically bat/bowl, I doubt you are now inept. Fielding can be learnt.
I play league cricket at a pretty low level (bottom division of Notts South League) and whilst not being very good, I bloody love it. We do our best, win or lose. Cricket, with its solitary/team balance can, like all sports, be cruel.
My wife, however, hates it - one whole day a weekend, at least, from April to Sepetember (as well as winter nets, midweek games and the inevitable social stuff) does not make me a popular bunny.
I am in the process of doing this, started with hockey ( field ) and that was fun, am now getting back into swimmimg which is incredibly difficult and water polo even worse. Hardest part for me was to stop comparing current performance to my teenage performances/times etc especially as I swam and played hockey at provincial level
I have done this.
When I moved back up North I join a hockey team and am now a regular in the 2nd/3rd team depending on who needs me.
More pertinently I was asked to help out the local village cricket team. I had not played since I was 13 so ended up batting 10 or 11 and fielding long leg to long leg. Eventually we ran out of players and came out of the local league (Alnwick & District) the good players went to another local team leaving the two 'also rans' with the club.
I soon learnt about preparing a wicket....we1l not so soon, I am still learning...and could be found towing gang mowers round the outfield with my old Landy.
Forward 6 years and I am now the President, Chairman and groundsman I also do the Fixtures and team selection.
I now open the bowling and bat (Agriculturally)at 4 or 5. This year we have 24 fixtures (More than the local league teams) and are winning as many as we lose.
So even if you are a bit rusty, go for it. Practice makes all the difference.
If you are willing to put more into the club than just turning up on match day you will be welcomed with open arms and secure a place in the team.
When I moved back up North I join a hockey team and am now a regular in the 2nd/3rd team depending on who needs me.
More pertinently I was asked to help out the local village cricket team. I had not played since I was 13 so ended up batting 10 or 11 and fielding long leg to long leg. Eventually we ran out of players and came out of the local league (Alnwick & District) the good players went to another local team leaving the two 'also rans' with the club.
I soon learnt about preparing a wicket....we1l not so soon, I am still learning...and could be found towing gang mowers round the outfield with my old Landy.
Forward 6 years and I am now the President, Chairman and groundsman I also do the Fixtures and team selection.
I now open the bowling and bat (Agriculturally)at 4 or 5. This year we have 24 fixtures (More than the local league teams) and are winning as many as we lose.
So even if you are a bit rusty, go for it. Practice makes all the difference.
If you are willing to put more into the club than just turning up on match day you will be welcomed with open arms and secure a place in the team.
E55 Max said:
I have done this.
When I moved back up North I join a hockey team and am now a regular in the 2nd/3rd team depending on who needs me.
More pertinently I was asked to help out the local village cricket team. I had not played since I was 13 so ended up batting 10 or 11 and fielding long leg to long leg. Eventually we ran out of players and came out of the local league (Alnwick & District) the good players went to another local team leaving the two 'also rans' with the club.
I soon learnt about preparing a wicket....we1l not so soon, I am still learning...and could be found towing gang mowers round the outfield with my old Landy.
Forward 6 years and I am now the President, Chairman and groundsman I also do the Fixtures and team selection.
I now open the bowling and bat (Agriculturally)at 4 or 5. This year we have 24 fixtures (More than the local league teams) and are winning as many as we lose.
So even if you are a bit rusty, go for it. Practice makes all the difference.
If you are willing to put more into the club than just turning up on match day you will be welcomed with open arms and secure a place in the team.
Interesting - might just pop down to my local club, although it seems they're mainly youth-dominated, with a separate 'over-40s' team.When I moved back up North I join a hockey team and am now a regular in the 2nd/3rd team depending on who needs me.
More pertinently I was asked to help out the local village cricket team. I had not played since I was 13 so ended up batting 10 or 11 and fielding long leg to long leg. Eventually we ran out of players and came out of the local league (Alnwick & District) the good players went to another local team leaving the two 'also rans' with the club.
I soon learnt about preparing a wicket....we1l not so soon, I am still learning...and could be found towing gang mowers round the outfield with my old Landy.
Forward 6 years and I am now the President, Chairman and groundsman I also do the Fixtures and team selection.
I now open the bowling and bat (Agriculturally)at 4 or 5. This year we have 24 fixtures (More than the local league teams) and are winning as many as we lose.
So even if you are a bit rusty, go for it. Practice makes all the difference.
If you are willing to put more into the club than just turning up on match day you will be welcomed with open arms and secure a place in the team.
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