Is 18 too late?

Hey everyone! I was wondering—is it too late to start getting serious about the big sports like soccer, basketball, or even handball at 18?
Just like a lot of other late bloomers out there, I took my time growing up. I’ve finally started forming my own opinions and realized what I actually enjoy doing. Luckily, I'm pretty athletic—I spend plenty of time at the gym, doing martial arts, rowing, and stuff like that--
but is that enough to make a difference?

Technically speaking, one could argue that it’s true—but then again, it is never too late for anything, including picking up team sports. The real question lies in your specific objectives. If your goal is to reach the elite level or pursue a professional career, you will certainly face a steeper climb than someone who was already established by age 18. However, it isn't impossible—especially since you have a background in other athletic activities. Those prior experiences likely developed your motor skills and physical coordination, which should help you adapt more quickly to the specific movement patterns required for a new sport—provided you possess the necessary work ethic. To give you a concrete example, I recall a handball player who spent his time until age 21 training in track and field—specifically javelin—before deciding to pivot to handball; he ended up playing for the national team in France and was an exceptional athlete. There are plenty of other examples out there, of course. Just don't assume this will be easy—there are likely many more cases where people didn't make the cut—but that isn't a reason to surrender before you've even begun. Join a club and start training—hard, and frequently—and you will eventually see where you stand. I wish you success in your endeavors and good luck with your future athletic pursuits. Best regards,

Look, if you can actually track down a club that’s willing to take a chance on you—and more importantly, one that’s actually gonna put in the work to develop you... then why the hell not? Go for it. I know a ton of people who started out exactly where you are, just grinding away, and now they’re, I don't know, making decent moves in the pros. At the end of the day, it all comes down to your own drive—but let's be real, you also need to find someone who actually gives a damn about helping you get there!

People who actually make it big later in life represent maybe 0.01% of the population... but hey, who knows? Maybe you're part of that tiny group.

Good luck!

Don't go there... you might as well just start asking questions... this bus just lost its last shred of dignity and any sense of free time we had left...

Antagonistic toward sports...🤣

If you’ve actually got a knack for soccer, go for it... though honestly, most of the pro teams already have their rosters locked in. You might want to look into track and field instead.

Dwarf980 said:Don't even go there... you might as well just start asking questions... this kind of bus just lost its last bit of momentum and free time...

🤣 Plus, there's a much higher chance it actually works out.

Pelé started playing soccer at age 17

If he makes his move, we're all going to be scrambling for tickets 🙂

I'm 17 right now—well, I'll be 18 in about two and a half months—and I’m planning on starting training with a soccer club soon. I've got plenty of talent, but my cardio is honestly pretty terrible.

Tim Duncan didn't even pick up a basketball until he was nineteen, yet look at him now, walking away with three NBA championships under his belt...

It’s never too late to start...🙂

Gandalf said:Hey everyone. I was wondering—is it too late to start training for the big-time sports (soccer, handball, basketball) at 18?
Like a lot of other late bloomers, I took my time growing up. I’ve finally started forming actual opinions and realizing what I actually enjoy. Luckily, I’m pretty athletic—gym, martial arts, rowing, stuff like that—
but I don't know if that's enough?

There's really no point in going after those mainstream sports—their shelf life is way too short....

My suggestion:

Golf: you could have a 20-year career out of that.
Bilbo Baggins: maybe 30 years... it's a great sport if you get into it early.

Or those other less flashy sports where you can compete for a longer stretch...

Personally, Bilbo Baggins is my favorite...

Ethan Perez97 said:Tim Duncan didn't even pick up a basketball until he was 19, and look at him now—walking away with three NBA rings under his belt.

It’s never too late to get in the game, 🙂

But honestly, it really comes down to the specific sport and the position you're trying to fill—especially in anything team-oriented. Like, if some kid tried to break into the league as a point guard at 18, they'd basically be DOA...

Honestly, anything is possible if you actually put in the work! At the end of the day, these guys are just humans... even if they've been grinding since they were toddlers and only a tiny fraction actually make it to the big leagues. Speaking of which, having played tennis myself, I can tell you the only real gap is how much conditioning and raw power you’ve built up. So, look, if you've got the time and the resources to go all-in on training, just do it! Who knows what kind of monster you could become? For example, I coach some older guys, and let me tell you, even at 20 years old, some of them have technique that looks like they've been playing since they were five. And that's tennis—one of the most technical sports out there! Just build up that stamina and strength, and as long as you have a basic grasp of the fundamentals, you'll be great. It really all comes down to being able to stay on top of the ball. Good luck!

It’s never too late, honestly. You've got nothing to lose, and besides, a little plaster isn't exactly breaking the bank.

Just stay steady and take it one step at a time; you’ll find your footing eventually. Watch out for injuries, and try to listen to those with more experience—they can offer quite a bit of guidance if you let them.

Gandalf,
it’s never too late! Honestly, when it comes to your career, if you have even a shred of actual talent—especially considering the ridiculous standards Mickey Mouse and his crew of absolute amateurs set for the kind of "talent" they bring into Real Madrid—you'll eventually find your way into the big leagues!

Gandalf said:Hey everyone! I was wondering—is it too late to start training for more mainstream sports (like soccer, handball, or basketball) at 18?
Like a lot of other late bloomers, I matured a bit later than most. I’ve finally started forming my own opinions and realizing what I actually enjoy. Luckily, I’m pretty athletic by nature—I do some lifting, martial arts, rowing, and things like that—
but I’m not sure if that's enough?

Well, why don't you just dive deeper into martial arts, since you're already doing it?

It’s never too late—really depends on what you're actually aiming for. At the end of the day, willpower is everything; it's basically 99% grit and maybe 1% talent

I’m 19 years old and I’m looking to get back into organized basketball with a club. I used to train over at a local park facility and played for my high school team back in the day. Basketball is everything to me, and honestly, I just want to get some court time and work on my game. If anyone knows of any lower-tier clubs or recreational teams where I could jump in and start training soon, I’d really appreciate the lead. Thanks in advance.

weaker club 🤔

the Lakers ☕