Hi,
I have dyspraxia and I also play football...
I never really noticed how bad my dyspraxia was until I started playing football again, and I began tripping over the ball or my own two feet. I constantly run into other players and often or not don’t understand where to run or what position I’m supposed to be running into receive the ball.
It’s getting to a stage where I am extremely embarrassed, as I once played professional football for Celtic when I was younger, and now I can hardly kick a ball without missing it or falling flat on my face.
If anyone had any suggestions please lemme know!
Football
Moderator: Moderator Team
Re: Football
Hi and welcome
Some Dyspraxic do very well at defying the stereotypical expectation that we're no good at and will avoid sport at all costs if we can.
So are you coming back to football after a long time away? Are you perhaps unfairly comparing yourself to your younger self and putting massive pressure on yourself to try to compete with much younger? fitter? people who have not had the same amount of time away from playing regularly?
I'm really not sporty, though I do walk a fair bit. I find I have a tendency for demanding excellence but if this is not immediately attainable I'm quite apt to being very unkind to myself if for any reason I cannot attain or sustain the impossibly standards I tend to expect of myself. however unrealistic my expectations might be.
Some Dyspraxic do very well at defying the stereotypical expectation that we're no good at and will avoid sport at all costs if we can.
So are you coming back to football after a long time away? Are you perhaps unfairly comparing yourself to your younger self and putting massive pressure on yourself to try to compete with much younger? fitter? people who have not had the same amount of time away from playing regularly?
I'm really not sporty, though I do walk a fair bit. I find I have a tendency for demanding excellence but if this is not immediately attainable I'm quite apt to being very unkind to myself if for any reason I cannot attain or sustain the impossibly standards I tend to expect of myself. however unrealistic my expectations might be.
Tom
Moderator/Administrator
With a foot full of bullets I tried to run faster but I just hobbled on to the next disaster.
(from Peter and the Test Tube Babies, Foot Full of Bullets)
Moderator/Administrator
With a foot full of bullets I tried to run faster but I just hobbled on to the next disaster.
(from Peter and the Test Tube Babies, Foot Full of Bullets)
Re: Football
It doesn't stop me from living and playing football. When I was a child, my mother noticed that I lost my coordination periodically and thought it necessary to develop me as much as possible. That's the reason why I've attended so many sports clubs before. It was football, tennis and even swimming. Sometimes there are still days when it is difficult to get on the field for the game, then I just turn on [Advertising Link removed] and enjoy the match in virtual mode.
Last edited by Tom fod on Fri Mar 11, 2022 11:32 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Reason: What point of No Advertising do you Not understand Banned and removed!
Reason: What point of No Advertising do you Not understand Banned and removed!
Re: Football
Oh, you don't have to continue playing football is this way. You have to consult a doctor.
Re: Football
Again zero context or relevance.
You've earned a summary and permanent ban
Tom
Moderator/Administrator
With a foot full of bullets I tried to run faster but I just hobbled on to the next disaster.
(from Peter and the Test Tube Babies, Foot Full of Bullets)
Moderator/Administrator
With a foot full of bullets I tried to run faster but I just hobbled on to the next disaster.
(from Peter and the Test Tube Babies, Foot Full of Bullets)
-
leebenjamin
- New member - welcome them!
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Mon Jan 16, 2023 3:38 pm
Re: Football
I have a friend who plays football and also has dyspraxia and it has been a challenge for him as well. However, there are ways to work around it.
First of all, it's important to talk to a doctor or a therapist about your condition. They can give you specific tips and exercises to help improve your coordination and balance.
Another great resource to check out is [Illegal Advertising link removed by Adminl], they have a lot of articles and tips on how to improve your football skills and overcome any challenges you may face.
Lastly, don't be too hard on yourself. Playing football is not just about kicking the ball, it's also about teamwork, strategy, and mental toughness.
First of all, it's important to talk to a doctor or a therapist about your condition. They can give you specific tips and exercises to help improve your coordination and balance.
Another great resource to check out is [Illegal Advertising link removed by Adminl], they have a lot of articles and tips on how to improve your football skills and overcome any challenges you may face.
Lastly, don't be too hard on yourself. Playing football is not just about kicking the ball, it's also about teamwork, strategy, and mental toughness.
Last edited by Tom fod on Fri Feb 27, 2026 4:29 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Reason: Advertising without prior permission!
Reason: Advertising without prior permission!
Re: Football
Hi All,
First time on here. I've never been diagnosed but I am certain I have Dyspraxia. So many posts and comments on this forum completely resonate so thanks to all the posters and administrators for running it!
The reason I'm replying on this thread is football has been a love/hate activity for me. I've loved football from a young age and played in the back garden every day I could. I was obsessed.
What I found was that technically I was very good, great touch, good passer and had a decent shot on me but when it came to high school and organized 11 a side games with better players I really struggled from a positional point of view and my anxiety on the pitch went through the roof.
I'm 45 now and have played on and off for 35 years so here's my tips/observations if this helps anyone:
1- 5 a side is easier, less positional emphasis and less time to worry about your own performance
2- playing centre midfield in 11 a side is a dyspraxics nightmare! Lots of 360 orientation movements and decisions required In a split second time frame.
3 playing centre back with the game in front of you is much easier especially if you've got a talkative partner who can drag you Into position
4 saying all of the above I'm a striker. It's difficult playing with your back to goal as that does Immediately disorientate you but I work around it.
5 flick headers are hard, you need precision judgement and good leaping ability, I had neither!
In summary if you love the game then practice the technical side alot and make yourself useful at certain things. I was our teams penalty and free kick taker, much easier to hit a stationary ball! My nickname was "highlights" I would go 'missing'in games for long periods but then would score a 25 yarder out of nowhere. I was frustrated that I couldn't play at a good level but learned to adapt and enjoy. Good luck everyone!
First time on here. I've never been diagnosed but I am certain I have Dyspraxia. So many posts and comments on this forum completely resonate so thanks to all the posters and administrators for running it!
The reason I'm replying on this thread is football has been a love/hate activity for me. I've loved football from a young age and played in the back garden every day I could. I was obsessed.
What I found was that technically I was very good, great touch, good passer and had a decent shot on me but when it came to high school and organized 11 a side games with better players I really struggled from a positional point of view and my anxiety on the pitch went through the roof.
I'm 45 now and have played on and off for 35 years so here's my tips/observations if this helps anyone:
1- 5 a side is easier, less positional emphasis and less time to worry about your own performance
2- playing centre midfield in 11 a side is a dyspraxics nightmare! Lots of 360 orientation movements and decisions required In a split second time frame.
3 playing centre back with the game in front of you is much easier especially if you've got a talkative partner who can drag you Into position
4 saying all of the above I'm a striker. It's difficult playing with your back to goal as that does Immediately disorientate you but I work around it.
5 flick headers are hard, you need precision judgement and good leaping ability, I had neither!
In summary if you love the game then practice the technical side alot and make yourself useful at certain things. I was our teams penalty and free kick taker, much easier to hit a stationary ball! My nickname was "highlights" I would go 'missing'in games for long periods but then would score a 25 yarder out of nowhere. I was frustrated that I couldn't play at a good level but learned to adapt and enjoy. Good luck everyone!
Re: Football
Hi there, I've posted a reply on positions so hopefully that helps!IcyIndex wrote: ↑Mon Jan 12, 2026 11:55 am I came across this older discussion and wanted to add something that helped me: playing small‑sided games with friends first really boosted my confidence. Less pressure, fewer people, and more time to control the ball made a huge difference. Does anyone else find certain positions easier? I’ve stuck to defence because it gives me more predictable movements.
Re: Football
I’ve been using live football results to keep up during busy matchdays, especially when I can’t watch a game. The quick updates and xG info help me get a feel for how a match is going without digging around different sites. It’s been handy for tracking multiple leagues at once and following a few players I’m keeping an eye on this season.