I’ve been posting all about world football lately, but yesterday, I started on my quest to get back into playing the game I love to watch so much. So, I figured I would post about my journey, which I can already tell you is going to much more difficult that it ever was.

About a month ago, I played in a 6v6 tournament, but I didn’t do any formal training to prepare for it. I was sore, a little beat up, but it was great to get back on the field again. I’m a goalkeeper by trade, and I figure, with the shape that I’m currently in, that’s where I should be. But, all goalkeepers fancy themselves as the world’s greatest striker, and I’m no different. But, as I said, goalkeeper is where I should be, so I filled out a form on the Central Florida Soccer League hoping to join a team. I received a few emails and phone calls, and I attended my first tryout yesterday for Revolver FC.

Tryouts started at 10am, so naturally, I showed up at 9:15 to show my enthusiasm. There were two coaches, and one other player when I arrived, and I introduced myself. I did a little warm-up, up and back on the field a few times, and that’s when I realized how difficult this try-out was going to be if there was any formal training to be done. Long story short, I nearly died as the coach made the team jog the middle of the field width-wise, then sprint the rest. We did this for about five minutes, and I almost quit, but I remembered how much fun I have when I’m not being sprinted to death, so I stuck around. Well, it only got worse from there. One of the coaches, who seems like a hard ass, but was extremely knowledgeable and encouraging, proceeded to put another goalkeeper and myself through drills that used to be a breeze when I was 16. But, being nearly 27, these drills seemed like boot camp, and the ground became a lot harder than I remember it being. I’ve always been my biggest critic, so not being able to perform and being exhausted after doing 15 seconds of goalkeeping drills really pissed me off. But, I remembered that I’ve been out of the game competitively for over five years, so that lessened it a bit, but I’m still a little frustrated at my lack of fitness.

After the goalkeeper training was mercifully over, the head coach split us up into 8v8 teams, and we played an inter-squad scrimmage. I was so tired during the scrimmage, I struggled to do anything worthwhile, but I did make a few good saves. I also allowed a few goals, but we won’t talk about that. One goal was scored by a guy who, ironically, went to Duke University. I went to the University of North Carolina, so I was worried we wouldn’t get along. But, the guy was super nice, and a good player, and his finish was top notch, taking a cross out of the air and blasting it in with his right foot. I didn’t stand a chance.

So, after my first day of tryouts, I’m still tired, my back hurts, my arms hurt, and my pride is a bit dented. But, the team has another training session on Thursday, and you bet your ass I’ll be out there getting killed again.

Exhausted

Me after 22 seconds of training.

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