Comments on: The Do’s and Don’ts of Pick-Up Soccer

By: Dan B.

Dan B. — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 18:02:45 +0000

DONT: Think you’re special and never have to play defense. I hate it when there’s 3 guys just standing up top, who NEVER drop back on D the entire game, and just wait to poach goals. Even worse if you can’t shoot and waste chance after chance that other players should be taking.

By: The Do’s and Don’ts of Pick-Up Soccer « Scissors Kick

The Do’s and Don’ts of Pick-Up Soccer « Scissors Kick — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 18:11:38 +0000

[...] The Do’s and Don’ts of Pick-Up Soccer “Generally speaking, I’m on three different co-ed soccer teams. My outdoor team, however, plays only in the spring and fall; because of this, I’m forced to sometimes supplement my two-game-a-week habit with the occasional pick-up game. Tuesday was one such night, and it occured to me while running around that, well, not everyone was on the same page.” (Avoiding the Drop) [...]

By: Joep

Joep — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 13:35:13 +0000

Haha, Pfelds, in Holland you do the opposite. If you do something awesome to create the goal, the best thing you can do is dont acknowledge it was awesome. that way everybody will think that for you, said awesomeness is completely normal

By: pfelds

pfelds — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 04:29:02 +0000

DO: if you celebrate when scoring, it will suffice to merely hold the goal # youve tallied in the air, as you return to half-line, and its okay to celebrate more if you A)do something awesome to create the goal, or B) score against a close friend, but no crazy celebrations, especially against eastern europeans, they do not enjoy this

DONT: be a cherry picker when your tired, and just ignore the offside rules, i hate when offside is cast aside, i mean, without offsides, the game is pointless

thats all i can add as of now

By: samerochocinco

samerochocinco — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 01:34:01 +0000

Yeah, I mostly play indoor and I have proper indoor shoes, so most of these rules are applicable. If you try a two-knee slide on a basketball court, you deserve it.

On the shinguard thing though, I never wear them. No one’s going to bother trying to slide tackle or do anything harmful on hardwood, and if you play correctly you shouldn’t be bashing shins anyway.

Very good article though, I really enjoyed it.

By: Adam

Adam — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 20:42:32 +0000

dribble, dribble, dribble, shot 20 feet wide of goal, repeat as needed till nobody passes to you again.

By: Joep

Joep — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 19:01:55 +0000

Nice post but pick-up in the US is apparently something way different than in Holland. probably cause most of the time its on concrete, not grass, and maybe in a cage. for those of you ever here, should you want to play

DO: dont make a fuss if you have to play on another team then the guys you came with. if it works out that way, just go with it and make the best of it. Nobody ever wants to do it, but somebody has to, so it might as well be you.

DONT: play too physical or tackle. Its a small court, probably concrete. youre not there to bully people around, youre there to have fun and show some skill. or at least try to.

DO: wear anything you damn well want to. If you cant get figure out who the 4 other guys on your 5 a side are within the first 10 seconds, well, tough. Shingaurds are not necessary because nobody should be playing in a way that you might need them.

DONT: Poach. Should you be slowly walking back after a chance and suddenly get the ball, never just walk it in. Check it, go back to youre own part of the court or just wait for at least 1 or 2 guys from the other team to get back.

By: Magnakai Haaskivi

Magnakai Haaskivi — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 18:08:22 +0000

As a defender, I’ve got the opposite internal psychology going: I’ve convinced myself I’ll be horribly maimed when I go for a tackle without shinguards. Nevermind that my ankle is way more susceptible to injury than my shin when that happens; I’ve played without and I’m way too nervous without a cheap piece of plastic protecting a bone that’s not often hit.

By: ebullientfatalist

ebullientfatalist — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 17:36:25 +0000

Don’t: Overestimate your own ability; you aren’t nearly as good as you think you are.

By: Adam

Adam — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 18:40:46 +0000

Yes, that last one is big. It’s usually the big buff guy who played (american) football and is only decent because he’s got natural athletic abilities, but he treats the game like it’s the most important game in the world. Actually that guy translates to any pick up game, especially basketball.