5-A-Side. Anyone play?

LeopoldScotch

LeopoldScotch

LeopoldScotch

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20 May 2011
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I'm starting a new season of 5-a-side at my local Goals tomorrow and wondered if anyone who has played before or still plays has some tips for our team?

We're a bunch of 30-somethings and looking at the other teams they look like a load of teenagers which is slightly off putting
 
I have played 5, 6 and 7 aside for the last 10 years or so and yes it seems to be true that in anything other than the bottom leagues you will face teams made up of younger, fitter, better players from 11 aside teams using 5 aside as practice.

Are you fit and can your team move a football about? Do you have a half decent fixed goalie? We sell awesome merchandise to keep the club afloat.

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Currently play in two teams. Two 'rules' for the first few games

- pass and move into space, easiest way to wear down a team is to keep possession

- also communication is key and positioning. It is probably best to have your keeper shouting commands - he should be the lead voice to organise players. At the start it is quite easy to get sucked in and ball watch and allow the opposition too much space.

Be prepared to be run ragged :D
 
As birdysaver said if your facing a younger fitter team keep passing it around and only run on the counter attack is the best way to wear them down.
 
Thanks for the replies.

We have a couple who are late 20s and fairly fit but a couple of older guys who haven't got the legs anymore tbh. Would it be best to play the fitter players as strikers or defenders?
 
I used to but a torn cruciate ligament in one knee and a damaged ligament in the other put a stop to that :(

All I'd say is organisation, get your team organised. Also be prepared to get fit throughout the week rather than just a single run-out each week

Miss it like hell, I do :(
 
Bickaxe said:
Just enjoy it, don't take it too seriously and don't get wound up by the more talented youngsters.
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This tbh. I used to play 5 a side, I'm useless, was a smoker at the time and my team mates were worse. It was more an excuse for a kick about then down the pub for a few.
 
NooBish AbbZ said:
I used to but a torn cruciate ligament in one knee and a damaged ligament in the other put a stop to that :(

All I'd say is organisation, get your team organised. Also be prepared to get fit throughout the week rather than just a single run-out each week

Miss it like hell, I do :(
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Same here, I did my ACL in friendly last pre season, only had the reconstruction a month ago so by the time I get any where near playing again I'll be pushing 30 :(

Also, learn how to use the walls to your advantage in 5-a-side, they can be a very useful sixth player and can get you out of all sorts of tricky situations and some teams can't handle it and you will open them up time and time again.
 
Having a good keeper goes a long way in five-a-side. The other important things are plenty of movement and lots of shots. Retaining the ball well also means that the other team will tire more quickly.
 
Its outdoor but with boards.

We actually have a decent keeper who's played 5 a side for a few teams. I'm not sure how vocal he'll be as he seems like a shy lad and he's new to our group of friends.

I can see a general theme of organisation and pass and move though, I'll pass this on to the lads
 
Been playing for a few years, and the one thing I have found is the most important is: fitness.
 
Play 5 and 7-a-side 3 times a week at the local Goals.

Organisation, and be calm, don't get bullied, you'll find that a lot of the younger generation (only 26 here mind) will get frustrated easily if you keep them off the ball.

Have your older players at the back, have them play simple passes and keep goal side of the attackers. Work out who their quick players are and don't dive in on them.

Have your younger or more talented players as the ones who attack. Movement upfront in 5 aside is what helps to create what little amount of space you will be afforded for a pass or shot.

But as people have said, just have fun and enjoy it, you'll find the more you play together the better you'll get, and your fitness will certainly improve over time.
 
Well, we played and got destroyed lol.

Ended up losing 15-5 which was embarrassing but we're determined to come back stronger next week. Thank you all for your tips and I hope they'll help us improve as we desperately need to!
 
Don't expect to do well straight away. We lost the first 4 or 5 games quite badly before we started to play properly together and started to string the results together
 
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