[MdWanderer]

Currently looking to get into a new sport, have been considering either soccer or ice hockey. I watch both sports (NHL regularly and soccer for World Cup) but have difficulty understanding them because I have never played either. Plus its good exercise besides going to the gym and working out. There are 'learn to play ______ for adult leagues' around.

Has anybody here got into a new sport at a later age? Would you recommend it? And if so, how would you go about doing it? Your help is appreciated.

[dark_g]

I would recommend you find a recreational league and stay away from the competitive leagues in whatever sport you choose. Some guys are very competitive and get really annoyed at newbies that make mistakes or errors. Having people frustrated at you is no way to start up a new sport. Once you become more familiar with the rules and fundamentals of the game, you can move on to a more competitive level.

[SiverFox]

Check out rugby

[leanmeansexmachine]

I have been taking my father to some brazilian jiu jitsu classes recently (he is 50 years old), he absolutely loves it. You can make great friends there aswell.

[wi30]

Can you skate? If not, learn how to skate proficiently before even trying to play in a pick up or beginner level game. 95% of hockey players start at a very young age. It isn't a sport you can easily pick up recreationally like soccer, basketball, or softball (no offense to those sports).

I'm not saying this to discourage you, quite the opposite really. I've played with a couple guys who picked up hockey later in life, but they already knew how to skate and were above average athletically with great hand-eye coordination. Most guys have been playing hockey since grade school or younger. I, for example, learned to skate at age 4.

If you live in a bigger city, there should be tons of options with regard to skill level. Smaller city adult leagues usually have only one or two skill levels. I played in a league where the best player was the caption of a top NCAA D1 team and made it up to the AHL in his prime. There were a few other guys with college and junior experience. The worst guys could barely skate backwards. Being a goalie, it was the shittiest league I've ever played in. I'd go from bar-down clappers to limp-wristed knuckle pucks on the same shift. The city wasn't big enough to divide into a B and C division, so bad players got discouraged and good players got frustrated. No one had any fun.

If you aren't a great skater yet, go to open skates and practice until you are confident enough to utilize both edges at full speed. Stick handle in your garage or driveway with a tennis ball to work on your hands. Mess around at open hockey once or twice a week and ask for advice from some of the better guys who have played their whole lives. They can tell you exactly what is wrong with your shot, stride, or anything else.

Hockey is the greatest sport in the world. You can play beer league until you're an old man. There are 30+, 40+, even 50+ leagues in some places. You can play in USA hockey tournaments year round and have a blast. There's fun to be had for every player of every skill level.

I thought the game was more or less over for me after my final college game, but then I discovered tournaments. I have a handful of guys who invite me to tournaments all over the Midwest. A lot of times they pay for my tournament dues and hotel (it pays being a goalie). I might even do one in Vegas next year. If the team I'm playing with can get a sponsor, I can probably get a new set of gear to match the uniforms for free (worth around $2500).

I could go on forever. Hockey has been my biggest passion since age 5. The equipment can get expensive but you can get everything used from a Play-it-Again or eBay for cheap. Feel free to PM me with any questions or ask me on here. I can talk hockey all day.

[Sidney Crosby]

Do you already know how to skate half decent?

If you don't have a decent skating ability I'd recommend ball hockey first, it's cheaper and will help you get down the basic hockey skills without having to worry about your skating at the same time. Roller hockey would be an option as well because rollerblading is significantly easier than ice skating. Both of these are quite a bit cheaper than Ice hockey.

Joining a sports league at your age is easy, because people often drop out because of work or family commitments so they are often desperate to get new people out. Go to the rink/arena and they can set you up with a team that needs people, as a beginner you will be in a league with a lower skill level but as you progress you could move up (if wanted)

[LINUX]

Last year I joined a group softball tournament with a bunch of guys I partied with.

We lost every game. Probably because our Gatorade container wasn't really Gatorade.


I strongly recommend this as a recreational activity, but you have to make sure your pitcher is sober.

[fortysix]

If anything, it is highly recommended to get into sports at a later age - this way you have more motivation to work out and stay in shape. The past few years, as I turn over another page into year 30, its not only getting more and more difficult to workout, but the motivation to stay in top shape when everyone else around is turning into a fat lard is lacking as well. For this reason I'm thinking of joining a sport to be around like minded people and maintain good health for the long haul. Just be careful, ease into it, and don't get injured.

[Eddie Winslow]

Basketball is the love of my life - I'm 29 and I still play at least 1-2x a week. If you are looking for a very easy sport to get into, check it out.

If you live near a court in a somewhat populated area, there's probably at least one game going on any day its nice out. In between possessions just say "hey, does anyone have next?" If you go to the same courts you'll run into the same guys all the time, like a little community.

It's ok if you can't shoot or dribble to start - if you try your best to stop your man from scoring on defense, your teammates won't hate you.

Unlike alot of other team sports, you can play 5v5, 4v4, 3v3, 2v2, 1v1v1, 1v1, or just by yourself. I went to the gym and shot alone for 90 minutes yesterday - got a good sweat in, worked on my jumpshot and loved every minute.

You don't need any equipment aside from a ball and a decent pair of shoes, and it's popular with people of all walks of life.

[MiscBrah]

(06-14-2016 07:18 PM)LINUX Wrote:  

We lost every game. Probably because our Gatorade container wasn't really Gatorade.

I strongly recommend this as a recreational activity, but you have to make sure your pitcher is sober.

[AWright]

Grew up playing basketball, hyper extended my knew last time I played competitive a year ago, nearly tore my acl. Haven't played since, the cost benefit of playing isn't worth it anymore, if I tear my acl there goes montgs of lifting gains and thousands of dollars in bills. I'm injury prone though.

[Brahman]

I got into competitive sailing in my early 30s, not sure if that's an option in your location, but it's a sport you can take in your mid adult years

[rcraig33hb]

I was mostly involved in team sports (football, baseball & soccer) growing up. I did some track and field as well. After football was over half way through University, I did weight lifting for many years and found it boring.

I got into triathlons by luck in my early 30's and have been doing it since. It has become a great lifestyle plus it is great for destination racing!

[NilNisiOptimum]

I always recommend golf as an excellent sport to take up at any age. It's as much you against yourself as it is you against others. How you respond to a bad shot is as important as your strategy. Additionally, it's a sport you can play your whole life.

[StrikeBack]

I got into boxing last year at 32, and am loving it now. Have done 2 fights so far, one exhibition and one club comp, won both.

My dad got into powerlifting at 63, competed for the first time at 64. He's also loving it and wants a crack at the Masters 3 (>60) national record for his weight class.

I know lots of people getting into powerlifting at 30+ years of age too. Powerlifting is probably the most forgiving sport for people of older age.

Plenty in BJJ as well, from what I can see at my MMA club (I only do boxing there).

Indoor soccer (5v5) is another sport that I can recommend to a 30+ y.o adult.