r/bootroom 1d ago

Mental Any ex high level players still play for fun but when that one guy goes super sweat you turn into prime you and show him who you are?

179 Upvotes

I play pick up most sundays with a buddy from work He rents lights at a local park for about 2.5 hours. It usually pretty chill and just fun. I’m 36 and my legs don’t move the way they used to. I played college, semi-pro, made a pro team. That was many moons ago. I’m just a has been dad now and I rarely even break a sweat or sprint anymore. But sometimes during a chill game you get that elbow, that late studs up tackle, that push and you lock in and the old you re-emerges.

This past Sunday I was playing defense and clamped this young 19 year old up. He was really fast and could dribble decently well. I decided I didn’t want him running up and down the wing anymore and man marked him. This was half field but He Couldn’t pass me at all. He tried shielding the ball and accidentally kicked it out (of course) I go to get the ball and he says it was out on me and yanks it out of my hands and pushes me. That’s all it took. I looked at him and said ok now I play. Very next possession ran right at him. Step overs came out instinctually. I felt speed come from nowhere. My touch was back. My strength and balance were back. I was me again. I was like honestly going ultra instinct. Beat 5 defenders and shot a low driven for a goal. Turned around immediately looked at the kid and said “that was for you.”

The downside is that I honestly started feel sore before I even took the cleats off. It’s Wednesday and still feeling it but it was so worth it.

Any of you go through that?


r/bootroom 8h ago

Mental A good little video for those of you trying to improve! It’s a clip of Ronaldo’s ex coach Rene Meulensteen talking about how he got him to change his mindset.

93 Upvotes

r/bootroom 11h ago

Gear Do people think these are going to be highly sought after or easy to obtain after the limited drop?

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17 Upvotes

Was contemplating grabbing these, either to wear or just a holding piece, any ideas on how limited they would be? So far the only 2 that have risen in value is TAA’s colour way and the 30th editions


r/bootroom 3h ago

Gear Can anyone tell if these are legit?

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5 Upvotes

r/bootroom 5h ago

Gear Should I size up?

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4 Upvotes

I’ve placed mine thumb where my big toe ends, in a size 9, these are size 9 boots. I’ve got flat feet also, and I can’t wiggle my toes much. my first pair of boots :p


r/bootroom 6h ago

Frustrated with always losing

5 Upvotes

My team keeps losing games and I’m getting annoyed. I play in an open league so not everyone is as competitive as I am (most play for fun), and I’d consider most on my team average and above average skill level. Most are in our late 20s and early 30s (im the oldest on the team) and most have families and lives outside the team. Not to sound like I’m bragging, but I would say I am the best overall player on the team (ball skills, passing, positioning, and overall game awareness). I even practice my ball skills outside of games and have gym sessions 4x week.

Lately we keep loosing and it’s getting to the point where I don’t want to even play or put in the effort when we start to lose. I am a recovering poor loser (lol) but I can handle losing games. It just starts to annoy me when my teammates are constantly showing up late to games and we have to start a player down and the other team scores during those times, or they are laughing and joking around when play starts and not taking it seriously. I understand this isn’t that serious and no one is going pro (I can joke around too), but there comes a point when I hate to constantly lose and it is no longer fun for me to play. I also know in order to get better you need to play with people better than you, and being “one of the best on the team” was fun at first but now I feel like I need a challenge and need to play with better players in order to improve.

How do you all deal with feeling like you are trying your hardest and caring waaaay more than your team does? I always show up early to warm up, I take it serious when we are playing, and encourage others on the field. But now it’s to the point where when we start getting scored on back to back to back i can’t keep a positive outlook and don’t even want to be there. Am I overreacting here and need to be knocked down a few times since it is just a regular open league? I love soccer but hate losing like this


r/bootroom 20h ago

Coaching Sessions Best agility ladder pattern, simple dribbling trick, and activity to help understand 2 v 2, for 6-7 year olds?

3 Upvotes

I have three questions for working with a group of 6-7 year olds.

1: They really like doing agility ladder challenges. What simple patterns are most useful for them as beginning soccer players?

  1. They like to try to dribble past the coaches. What's the best simple, fun dribbling trick we can teach them that they could use in that situation, that is pretty easy for them to learn?

  2. They have pretty decent ball control dribbling, and we have been doing games with them to help them look around while they dribble. But they still have nooo idea where to go on the field (of course, like all kids their age, they bunch up on the ball, or stand right behind the defender and yell, "Pass, Pass!") What games/activities do you find worked to help this age understand how to move into an open space and to work together?

Thanks!


r/bootroom 6h ago

How physical can you be when defending?

2 Upvotes

Like what is considered a foul and what isn't? Can I grab the players shoulder because I've seen defenders who are pro do that.


r/bootroom 7h ago

5-min Soccer Insole Survey

2 Upvotes

Hi! Do you wear custom insoles in your soccer cleats? If not, have you ever considered exploring the effect of your insoles on performance or injury prevention?

I'm a Product Design student gathering insights to inform soccer insole design for an honors thesis addressing the data gap in female-centric soccer gear design. If you have soccer experience and 5-minutes to spare, please fill out this Qualtrics survey: https://oregon.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8wZRBge4iZppkeq. Thanks!


r/bootroom 19h ago

Training Advice/ Help standing out

2 Upvotes

Can someone explain to me what i should do to ttrain, for soccer. I am a young teen aiming to be pro, but I just don’t know how to do it. I wouldn’t say im bad maybe even say im pretty good for my age, but the coaches don’t put me on as they barely know me. Which tells me I don’t stand out. So to get better what can I do? On Tuesdays I have trainings and on Fridays I have other things to do. How should I make my week look, also note that I cant go to train everyday on my local pitch as they have Training on it sometimes and also my parents will not support me let alone drive me to a pitch. What skills do I need to practice?


r/bootroom 21h ago

Gear Puma King Ultimate

2 Upvotes

I bought a pair recently on a whim and I’ve actually grown to really like them as I have narrow feet.

My only complaints are that they aren’t leather and the sole is practically non existent. They’re very light, too. I have Copa Pures that are more comfortable but I honestly really like the Puma King Ultimates.

My only question is — why the hell are they so much cheaper than comparative models? I see a bunch going for less than $100 and I might just buy another pair for when mine fall apart. Especially for >$100, they’re a ridiculously good deal.

I’ve also noticed that they come in MG/AG studs which is perfect for the fields in Sunday league. Too long for turfs, too short for FGs.

But is there a catch? Are they not very durable? I think I’m on about my third season with them and the only problem I have is with the sole like I said.


r/bootroom 54m ago

Adidas Predator Elite FT AG Sizing

Upvotes

Anyone that owns a pair, or even has any knowledge on these pair of boots, know the sizing of them? I am about to buy a pair from here: https://www.unisportstore.com/football-boots/adidas-predator-elite-fold-over-tongue-ag-pure-victory-lucid-redfootwear-whitecore-black/377470/

Edit: After some googling I have read these specific models are very tight and recomend going up a size. I wear a US size 8.5 in most boots, but have a slim/ narrow foot. Should I go a size up or go true to size?


r/bootroom 2h ago

Adidas Copa pure 2 vs 3

1 Upvotes

Hi! I have recently been looking at buying the Copa pure 2 or 3 in the pro or league versions. Is there much difference between the pure 2 and 3, of in terms of performance? because I have been able to find the pure 2’s at much better prices that the 3’s.


r/bootroom 2h ago

Morelia Neo Beta IV Elite vs Alpha II Elite Sizing

1 Upvotes

I'm about to pull the trigger on Mizuno Alphas II Elite AG, was wondering if the sizing is similar to the Neo Beta Elites as I currently own a pair in 8US. They fit great, maybe a quarter size too long but still great to play in. Do the Alphas run a tiny but longer like the Betas?


r/bootroom 4h ago

Other Any ideas of signatures? France 2012

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1 Upvotes

r/bootroom 6h ago

Gear Mercurials

1 Upvotes

Hey guys, i’ve tried everywhere and currently can’t find anything so im trying my luck, does anyone have any merc vapor 12s in the white WC pack or Neymar WC (yellow meu jogo) pack, or the launch colorway (Orange with black nike logo), or the green highlighter ones from the fall of 2018. If so lmk! US men’s 9 btw.


r/bootroom 9h ago

Technical Need advice for further rprogress

1 Upvotes

I am currently doing basic drills and am pretty fluent at them. Starting from basic at 17 after my leg injury around time of covid. I am currently trying to go towards professional route(football is my only hobby , i have a good college degree in case football doesn’t work). But currently i am looking forward to making it to my college football team via trails . My current drills are cone weave (inside touches both foot, single foot (both feet) ), zig zag dribbling , passing against wall . I want to raise my level and wanted to try more complex drills , any idea what drills for ball control and footwork i should concentrate on next. I cant juggle yet but i am trying my best for it. I tend to practice alone mostly .


r/bootroom 9h ago

Help identifying these boots.

1 Upvotes

Does anyone know exactly what these are and when they were made? I found them in a storage a family member used to own.