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7 Tips to Stand out Against Older Players
updated on January 5th, 2025
8 mins read
Playing alongside or against older players can feel intimidating.
They’re bigger, stronger and more experienced.
But that’s exactly why it’s a golden opportunity for you to elevate your game.
And here are 7 tips how you can turn these challenges to your advantage!
1) Earn Respect
If your teammates don’t respect and value you as a teammate, you’ll have a very hard time in the team - especially as a youngster.
To make the most of this opportunity, start by building respect among your older teammates.
Demonstrate commitment and reliability during training, and balance humility with confidence in your abilities.
2) Find your Place in the Team
Understanding the team’s tactics and style of play is essential for any new player.
Study your teammates’ movements, communication, and approach to team tactics to align effectively.
Remember, your unique strengths are your greatest contributions to the team.
Whether it’s speed, energy, or technical skills, use them to assist, support, and elevate the team’s performance.
3) Navigate the Dressing Room
Off the field, relationships are just as important.
Introduce yourself confidently when joining a new team, and take time to understand its culture and dynamics.
Join conversations naturally without forcing them, and always maintain professionalism by being punctual and keeping your space tidy.
4) Find Ways to Compete
When competing against older players, you’ll likely face two main challenges:
- Physicality: They might be stronger and more aggressive.
- Experience: They often anticipate moves and control the game's pace.
While they may be stronger and more tactical, you can stand out by using your speed, agility, and creativity to out-maneuver them.
Your stamina can also make a key difference, helping you maintain the upper hand as the game progresses.
And your mental resilience is just as important - stay calm under pressure and treat every encounter as an opportunity to learn and improve.
5) Put in the Extra Work
To level up, your training should focus on both physical and technical growth.
Build your core strength to handle physical battles, and work on agility and endurance to stay competitive.
At the same time, refine your technical skills like ball control, passing, and decision-making. Small-sided games can help you think and play quicker!
Analysing matches is another invaluable tool - watch how experienced players position themselves and anticipate the flow of play.
6) Build a Strong Mentality
Beyond physical skills, your mental attributes will be key when competing against older players.
Confidence without arrogance is essential - believe in yourself but remain open to feedback.
Adaptability and a strong work ethic are also non-negotiable.
Be ready to embrace different roles and strategies, and show that you’re willing to put in the effort needed to succeed.
7) Learn to Deal with Setbacks
Setbacks are inevitable, but they’re also opportunities for growth.
Stay positive and seek feedback from older teammates or coaches to understand how you can improve.
Focus on making small, consistent progress every day - over time, these small steps lead to big changes.
Start applying these strategies today, and watch yourself grow into a standout player who can thrive against any competition.
If you want to dive even deeper into this topic, click below to watch the full masterclass on “How to Stand Out Against Older Players” 👇
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