Help Me Make A Choice!

[aloo paratha]

So it is summer time for me now, and I'll have lots of free time. For the last year at least, I've wanted to play sport professionally. Obviously every kid wants to be the next Wasim Akram or the next Ronaldo and that's the same for me. Far fetched? Yeah. Doable? Hell Yeah To keep my feet more on the ground, I want to take a sport seriously, and play at a decently high level. That's my goal. I am willing to put in effort to excel at a sport and am willing to leave those tasty deserts as well

So basically I need to choose between cricket or soccer, which one do I want to focus on, and give my time to.

I am a decent-ish soccer player, started playing from around the age of 8 but only ever played for fun. I love the sport and I play it with friends every day at lunch time during school. Before Ramzan, I was heading out with my friends to the soccer field after school to practice for at least an hour and a half 3-4 times a week.

I have some doubts over whether I can do it or not. As I've said like 4000 times I'm super skinny and can easily get knocked off the ball. I don't have the best confidence in anything tbh but when I play soccer, I'm too afraid to make a mistake.

I have already joined a cricket club this year, I am 5 foot 6, right arm fast bowler, although my pace isn't that high, probably around 90-95 km(rough estimate because my friend was measured at the same speed and our pace is pretty similar). I feel like I have potential with both the bat and the ball, although right now I'm only a good bowler.

See if i was in Australia or Pakistan, cricket would be the choice, but in Canada there just really isn't any future for even a decent standard of cricket. I'm discouraged by awkward game times like 8AM on a Saturday (no way I want to put my dad through having to do that on his weekend) and there aren't even many places to practice. For the last 3 years I've been throwing a taped tennis ball at my garage

As I am writing this I'm more towards ditching cricket and just focusing on playing soccer.

Your thoughts??

 

[shaz619]

Pursue the sport you will enjoy the most and feel like you're better at then the other, also good luck! you can do it!

 

[Saeed]

Go for soccer. It's good that you're afraid of making mistakes. As Pluto said

“The first and best victory is to conquer self. To be conquered by self is, of all things, the most shameful and vile.”

Now is the time challenge yourself, defeat your fears.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Play the one you like more.

 

[WC-Passion]

To be honest it's not like soccer/football is played religiously in Canada either. Go for the one you're better at if you're trying to become professional but if there isn't much difference then just go for the one you love doing more. Not sure how it works in Canada but in the UK playing from an early age for the best school team continually will get you noticed as you play in school cups. Interestingly, the requirement for GSCE P.E (Physical Education or Sports) is to play at county level however I'm not sure what this exactly means as GSCE is at 14-16. Either way, good luck with whatever you choose to do.

 

[Rayyman]

You are 5'6 and skinny. So for soccer, you can be a winger like Ronaldo, Messi, Neymar, etc. Just work on your speed (that's why I gave you the Flash workout ) and dribbling the most.

For cricket, send your bowling action to My Cricket section and ask Big Mac and CD how to improve it. Of course you are trying to get stronger, that's good; But being lean is more important. Look at Amir. He was a twig at 17.

Try to go running every day.

Ease up on the parathas.

 

[aloo paratha]

To be honest it's not like soccer/football is played religiously in Canada either. Go for the one you're better at if you're trying to become professional but if there isn't much difference then just go for the one you love doing more. Not sure how it works in Canada but in the UK playing from an early age for the best school team continually will get you noticed as you play in school cups. Interestingly, the requirement for GSCE P.E (Physical Education or Sports) is to play at county level however I'm not sure what this exactly means as GSCE is at 14-16. Either way, good luck with whatever you choose to do.

Well soccer is MUCH more popular than cricket in Canada. It's actually on the rise too, go watch highlights of a TFC home game and it'll always be full, and the TFC and Montreal rivalry is quite real.

 

[aloo paratha]

Play the one you like more.

The problem is... I can't decide

 

[aloo paratha]

You are 5'6 and skinny. So for soccer, you can be a winger like Ronaldo, Messi, Neymar, etc. Just work on your speed (that's why I gave you the Flash workout ) and dribbling the most.

For cricket, send your bowling action to My Cricket section and ask Big Mac and CD how to improve it. Of course you are trying to get stronger, that's good; But being lean is more important. Look at Amir. He was a twig at 17.

Try to go running every day.

Ease up on the parathas.

Yeah I'm not that fast. How can I improve that?? I already do around 50 squats a day.

I'll send a video my action after Eid IA.

Trust me, I never eat oily parathas, if my mom makes roti, I make sure it's a chapati which I'm pretty sure uses no oil, at least the way my mom makes it.

 

[Rayyman]

Yeah I'm not that fast. How can I improve that?? I already do around 50 squats a day.

I'll send a video my action after Eid IA.

Trust me, I never eat oily parathas, if my mom makes roti, I make sure it's a chapati which I'm pretty sure uses no oil, at least the way my mom makes it.

You don't like to run?

<img src="https://media.tenor.com/images/cdd97372f67962d3c6b39e31b3aa05b0/tenor.gif" alt="tenor.gif (498×235)"/>

Try running one or two miles every day. Make sure you don't jog. Just walk some of it and run fast in short bursts. This improves explosion.

 

[WC-Passion]

Well soccer is MUCH more popular than cricket in Canada. It's actually on the rise too, go watch highlights of a TFC home game and it'll always be full, and the TFC and Montreal rivalry is quite real.

I'd be surprised if Toronto games weren't full as they are one of the best teams in the MLS next to FC Dallas and Seattle Sounders and have the best player in the league with Giovinco.

 

[aloo paratha]

You don't like to run?

<img src="https://media.tenor.com/images/cdd97372f67962d3c6b39e31b3aa05b0/tenor.gif" alt="tenor.gif (498×235)"/>

Try running one or two miles every day. Make sure you don't jog. Just walk some of it and run fast in short bursts. This improves explosion.

I don't want people seeing me run on the streets Can I ride a bike in quick bursts???

 

[aloo paratha]

I'd be surprised if Toronto games weren't full as they are one of the best teams in the MLS next to FC Dallas and Seattle Sounders and have the best player in the league with Giovinco.

Was so heartbreaking when they lost the final on penalties back in December

 

[Syed1]

Dont worry about skinny part. Your body will fill in.

I'll tell you from my own experience. I was a goodish batsman but never spectacular, but what I did have were fast reflexes and excellent running speed (two things that are essential to succeed in soccer) so I took up the sport and eventually made my varsity team (although I had to leave after a couple of seasons due to academic commitments). Im a naturally aggressive person (you can probably tell by my posting style) but I'm also risk averse - both of which are classic traits for a defender, and that is where I played most of my soccer.

Now every kid wants to be a Ronaldo or a Messi, but neither of those two would win a single game if they don't have the backing of someone like a Pique, Puyol or a Ramos. A defender may never make the headlines but no team has ever won anything without a solid defense. It is not the most glamorous job, you often have to make nasty challenges or take one for the team by putting your body on the line. You say you are risk averse, then perhaps give a try at playing as a defensive midfield, or maybe fullback. As a skinny kid center back may not be an option at this stage.

My point is, find a position in soccer you think you can excel in. Work day and night on your fitness, running speed, ball control and composure on the ball. Eventually these things will become second nature to you and instead would be constantly thinking about your next pass or next tackle or next position you have to take up. I would recommend joining some academy since soccer is a very technical sport and there is ALOT more to it than what meets the eye.

 

[aloo paratha]

[MENTION=138254]Syed1[/MENTION] I have mostly played midfield, but I haven't played proper soccer since grade 6 so would have to work out what I can do well. I don't think defense is good for e because frankly I have no idea about my positioning as a defender. Hopefully I'll join next year as it's too late now.

 

[TalentSpotterPk]

You are 5'6 and skinny. So for soccer, you can be a winger like Ronaldo, Messi, Neymar, etc. Just work on your speed (that's why I gave you the Flash workout ) and dribbling the most.

For cricket, send your bowling action to My Cricket section and ask Big Mac and CD how to improve it. Of course you are trying to get stronger, that's good; But being lean is more important. Look at Amir. He was a twig at 17.

Try to go running every day.

Ease up on the parathas.

Lolz running. You don't want him to fill up ? Right ?

Does he intend to run a marathon with kenyan athletes in Olympics ?


Khuda ko Maan yaar.


He is 5'6 so let him grow first. Atleast 5'8 5'9.


Otherwise you want a Khalid Mahmud pacer in him to unleash ? Hope he doesn't do weight training next few years and gets 6 feet tall but you internet formi generation would try your level best to make him a spinner due to height.

 

[Rayyman]

I don't want people seeing me run on the streets Can I ride a bike in quick bursts???

Do you play soccer/cricket while riding a bike?


I get that you don't want to be seen while running. I am teenager too so have same problem. What I do when I run, I go early in the morning. Around 8-9 AM. Most youngsta beauties are asleep at this time and you'll only see old people walking their dogs. I even went right after Fajr a few times, but that takes a lot of dedication.

How will running stop his growth? [MENTION=138980]TalentSpotterPk[/MENTION]

 

[TalentSpotterPk]

Do you play soccer/cricket while riding a bike?


I get that you don't want to be seen while running. I am teenager too so have same problem. What I do when I run, I go early in the morning. Around 8-9 AM. Most youngsta beauties are asleep at this time and you'll only see old people walking their dogs. I even went right after Fajr a few times, but that takes a lot of dedication.

How will running stop his growth? [MENTION=138980]TalentSpotterPk[/MENTION]

He is some years younger than you.


He will become more smart.

 

[aloo paratha]

Do you play soccer/cricket while riding a bike?


I get that you don't want to be seen while running. I am teenager too so have same problem. What I do when I run, I go early in the morning. Around 8-9 AM. Most youngsta beauties are asleep at this time and you'll only see old people walking their dogs. I even went right after Fajr a few times, but that takes a lot of dedication.

How will running stop his growth? [MENTION=138980]TalentSpotterPk[/MENTION]

Yeah that is a good idea but like other youngsta beauties, I am one too I should try though.

 

[WC-Passion]

Was so heartbreaking when they lost the final on penalties back in December

I can feel your pain, the 2008 UCL final is still really frustrating for me with how it ended for us.