How to play a new sport as an adult

Playing a new sport (or getting back into one you haven’t played in a while) as an adult can be scary and hard, but there’s some things you can do to make the process easier and less scary.

Here's six things women can do to prepare to get in the game and play new sports as adults:

1. MENTALLY PREPARE TO PLAY A NEW SPORT

It’s hard to do something new, especially as an adult. Our minds are often our biggest obstacle when it comes to playing a new sport, so here’s how to hype yourself up:

• Believe in yourself (tell the mean girl in your head to get lost!)

• Be ok with doing it scared

• Build confidence as you go instead of waiting to have the confidence to do it before you start

• Be brave enough to suck at something new

• Stop telling yourself excuses that aren’t true (it’s too late, you’re not good enough, you’re too old, etc. — these are all BS!)

2. HOLD YOURSELF ACCOUNTABLE TO FOLLOW THROUGH

Making the decision to start is the first step, now you’ve got to hold yourself accountable to follow through and play the sport! Here’s some ways to hold yourself accountable:

• Join with a friend so you can keep each other accountable and motivated (plus doing it with someone else helps lessen the fear!)

• Sign up for a learn to play program, league, or team so you can’t back out

• Commit to a practice or training plan to prep (if you have the time, of course!)

• Announce it on your social media so your followers, friends, and family can help keep you accountable (BONUS POINTS: You might inspire others to get in the game, too!)

3. TAKE YOUR SHOT AND GET IN THE GAME

You’re mentally prepared and ready to take your shot — now it’s game time! Here’s some ways to find a place to play:

• Search online for rec sports in your area or search the specific sport you want to play with the closest city to you to find an adult league

• Search for Facebook groups with the sport and your area. A lot of women’s sports leagues have Facebook groups to help women find teams, connect with other women, and find opportunities to play

• Use your social media and other connections to ask around. Talking to women already playing the sport you want to can prepare you with insider advice and might even lead you to a team!

• Use our directory for adult women to find a team/league

4. PREPARE FOR GAME DAY

Once you’re all set with a place to play, you can do some basic things to calm your nerves and prepare for your first game, practice, or training session:

• Reach out to someone else who plays or the league/team to find out what equipment you need and what you can expect when you show up

• Research the sport and get a basic understanding of the objective of the game and rules to play

• Watch the sport and pay attention to what the players are doing (if you haven’t already)

• If it’s accessible, practice the sport on your own or with a friend to shake off the nerves (practice basic skills in your basement/back yard or head to an outdoor court/field/rink or your local rec centre and play around)

5. CHECK YOUR MINDSET WHILE PLAYING

Once you start playing, you might find that you’re hard on yourself and getting frustrated. This is normal when you’re doing something new, but here’s some ways to work through this mindset:

• Start slow and be patient with yourself

• Celebrate every small win — you’re brave enough to learn something new, which is way more than most people do!

• Find a supportive community to hype you up

• Focus on having fun and all the other benefits playing sports has rather than skill and production

• Set realistic goals for yourself (your goal can simply be to show up and have fun!)

• Embrace the challenge of learning something new

6. HAVE A FREAKIN’ BLAST

YOU DID IT! Be proud of yourself for taking your shot and doing something new — so many people wish they could do this, but not many people are actually willing to step up and do it. You’re amazing!

REMEMBER: The importance of sport is not based on what level you play, how much you improve, or how good you are.

Showing up, playing the game, having fun, socializing, exercising, and being a part of a community of badass women is the most important part.

READY TO GET IN THE GAME?

Use our directory and event + playing opportunity board for adult women to play sports!