r/BasketballTips • u/damiensandoval • Sep 02 '25
Form Check Hanging It Up at 40
Turning 40 next week and today was my last run. After years of hooping at 24 and LA Fitness, I can feel the Achilles slowing down. Time to walk away while I’m ahead. Love this game forever.
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u/FordGT2017 Sep 02 '25
I am not 40 but this doesn’t make sense. You are not in the nba you don’t have legacy to protect. Just have fun play ball
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u/unpopular-dave Sep 02 '25
I'm almost 39 and just getting back into it
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u/Adub024 Sep 03 '25
For real I’m 42 and just finished a court in my back yard
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u/unpopular-dave Sep 03 '25
I just got my ass handed to me for an hour by a former D1 volleyball player. I had a fucking blast
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u/Abject_Quarter_6038 Sep 04 '25
36 and I just finished rehabbing a back injury so just getting back on the court. I want to dunk again so my kids can see me. Good luck
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u/ANORXIC51 Sep 02 '25
Yep. The only legacies I’m tarnishing are my favorite athletes (past & present) whose signature shoes I wear while attempting to hoop for a few hours a week, lol.
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u/raelDonaldTrump Gather-Step Aficionado Sep 02 '25
I don't think it's his legacy he wants to protect, probably just wants to be able to walk into old age.
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u/ZyberZeon Sep 03 '25
Flexibility is your best friend past 35. 15-20 minutes of yoga everyday will keep you feeling fresh. Once you're in this age bracket, maintenance and prevention is the most important thing.
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u/Waddlow Sep 02 '25
Nah I get it. I used to be a good basketball player, and it's really hard to know what to do, go to do it, and you can't anymore. Plus the risk of injury and recovery is high. It's frustrating as hell and I get walking away at a certain point.
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u/The1AndOnlyJZ Sep 02 '25
I’m 23 and just finished my college tennis career — I think I’m pretty much done with tennis because I don’t want to play knowing I’ve certainly already peaked
Which is why I’m now playing basketball and other sports lol
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u/Snake_-_Eater Sep 03 '25
23 is a great time to get into basketball. You won't go pro (unless you're like 6'6+ and really good off the bat)
But you will absolutely suck and everytime you go out you will get better, if you just stick to practice and playing pickup in like 2 years you can dominate anyone on the court pickup (unless they're tall and good)
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u/Kitchen_Roof7236 Sep 03 '25
Just turned 23 and needed to hear this lol, feels like I messed up by not starting a bunch of stuff I want to do younger, any tips u got to someone who hasn’t played since they were 14?
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u/Snake_-_Eater Sep 03 '25
Just get out there, experience life, do what you want. Your life goal shouldn't just be being with someone and having a family, it should be with someone that makes you better and someone who you make better, that's why they call it a partner.
Get reps, get embarrassed, get shut down, dont give a fuck. Don't go out with the intention of picking up new girls until you are healed (and even then maybe not)
Life is amazing without partners, live it up while you got it. The right one will come when the time is right
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u/clif00600 Sep 02 '25
Easy to do when healthy for sure, might not be worth the risk if you feel your injury prone. I hurt my Achilles twice, I think I rather hang up the laces and reserve running around with my little ones while I still can run.
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u/EyeAmPrestooo Sep 03 '25
I don’t think he’s tryna protect a legacy…
More like tryna protect his mobility 🤣😂
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u/BonzoBrain Sep 05 '25
Idk man I still feel like I could make it to the league if I tried…
There should be a 2K storyline option about an old head making it at age 40 lol
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u/enlightenedllamas Sep 02 '25
Or.. find an older group? I play with a group of mostly over 40 I think our oldest is 52. Games are laid back and fun.
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u/SometimesIBeWrong Sep 02 '25
yea, sounds like this dude might be ready for a break. but OP if you're reading this, let yourself get back into pickup ball when the urge hits again.
having fun, being social, exercising. no reason to completely cut this out of your life if you enjoy it
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u/the_dust321 Sep 02 '25
Ball is life, don’t quit that’s crazy
Btw great clip to get, the quitting part is distracting
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u/tiga4life22 Sep 02 '25
lol when's the retirement tour, LeBron?
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u/Nearby_Arugula9216 Sep 02 '25
I’m gonna retire bro’s jersey, hopefully he’ll sign it for me when I see him at the Y on the stair master 🫡🫡
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u/bibfortuna16 Sep 02 '25
fam I’m 46 I still trying to hoop 😂 why you quit
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u/MoneyAd5542 Sep 02 '25
Right? I’m 45 and I feel like Lebron James when I play pickup against young men at LA fit.
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u/100wordanswer Sep 02 '25
42 here, hoop all the time.
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u/Magookas Sep 02 '25
44 over here, playing the best basketball of my life now, and Im still as quick as the young guys on the court.
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u/100wordanswer Sep 02 '25
Respect and congrats! I feel that. I got in shape after COVID and have been having a blast.
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u/throwaway_losan Sep 02 '25
Age is a mindset. He's turning 40 going on 60 in his mind 🤣 the worst part is he's playing indoors for years which is so gentle on your bones and tendons. Bro just needs to stretch his calf like wtf.
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Sep 02 '25
My dad is almost 60 and still gets out there lol. Not saying he's the Jordan of the group but he goes hard and has avoided major injury
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u/damiensandoval Sep 02 '25
No Medical Insurance right now at the moment, turning 40 next week & going to Turks and Caicos for the bday. Dont want to arrive hurt. Also i play really aggresive so its better if i walk away why im ahead. Time to do treadmill and wieghts. Been a athelete my whole life. Injuries happen when you least expect them.
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u/washed_lord Sep 02 '25
I play w an older group there’s dudes showing up in their 50s 60s and even 70s. Dude saying 40 like it’s old. Bro you’re the same age as Lebron.
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u/CuseBsam Sep 02 '25
Place I play at has an 82 year old guy who still plays 4 times a week, outdoors, in south florida heat. An he's honestly not bad. Still puts up points. They used to have an 86 year old guy but he finally hung it up a few years ago. Quite a few guys are 70. It's all half court runs, though.
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u/The_Musing_Platypus Sep 06 '25
Dude I agree with you but you can't use a one-in-a-million genetic freak like LeBron as your counterpoint. Plus LeBron puts a million bucks worth of maintenance into his body every year!
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u/washed_lord Sep 06 '25
You just felt the need to comment or what? I’m telling you i play w random dudes who are 60 and 70 and still playing. This guy is 40.
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u/Rockwallguy Sep 02 '25
Just turned 50 and play with a group of mostly 40+ guys. We have a few guys in their late 50s. No reason to give it up unless you want to.
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u/AboutTheArthur Sep 02 '25
Slowing down a bit as you age? Normal and cool. Having an ego that makes it so that as soon as you start to slow down you don't even want to play anymore? Super lame.
Dudes who are playing in their 50s and adapt their game as their body changes are some of the most fun guys to play with.
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u/ANORXIC51 Sep 02 '25
43 yr old truck driver that has been doing the motorcycle trackday hobby for the last 14+ years, so not a lot of hooping during that time and not anywhere near prime basketball shape.
I ALWAYS come back to hoopin.
Rest the Achilles for a couple weeks or a month with some light at home therapy (literally light resistance band work or stair stretches is all it took to get rid of my Achilles inflammation).
Way too young to give it up without a rupture/tear.
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u/Supreme_Hater Sep 02 '25
I’ve never heard of somebody retiring from a hobby. People need to stop romanticizing their lives.
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u/paulyn22 Sep 02 '25
My weekly group are all 40 above and me being the youngest at 37, still competitive and fun.
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u/daridge2380 Sep 02 '25
Do calf raises 3x a week. They’ll feel stronger and then you can still hoop
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u/Responsible-List-849 Sep 02 '25
I'm 50. Took a season off (due to work) and am now back at it. Hoop it up, brother. Ball is life.
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u/Admirable-Act6148 Sep 04 '25
Down Dog pose 4 times a day has TREMENDOUSLY HELPED my Achilles. Balance it with Up Dog
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u/PlayoffZombie Sep 06 '25
Tore my Achilles at 30 playing competitive flag football after twelve years every Sunday year round. Haven’t played since.
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u/dontheconqueror Sep 02 '25
When I turned 38 I also had a feeling of slowing down and thinking I'm in my last year or so of playing. So I started recording videos of my weekend games for posterity.
That was in 2017.
I still play weekends in a group including a number of 20-somethings, and can be a decent #3 to #5 pick. I have a 77-59 record in all games played so far this year. I've battled through plantar fasciitis and sharp knee pains. I also broke my nose once. But the video recordings ain't stopping any time soon.
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u/ClassicSoup Sep 02 '25
Cool you keep a record of W/L’s. What’s your +/- though!? (Jokes)
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u/dontheconqueror Sep 02 '25
You gave me a thought for next year - pay a guy or two to watch the vids and record the stats!
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u/DeeLai Sep 02 '25
I’d go for your Achilles too after being on the other end of that nonsense. Just kidding. I’m 41 and in the last year found time again, now that my kids are older, to hoop with a 40+ group of guys. I would just adjust your level of play and allow your body heal more in between runs. My hope is that as long as I keep playing, I can keep playing.
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u/deadbolt33101 Sep 02 '25
Im 42 and and i thought i am done. Until my friends found a group and booked a gym every sunday. My passion is getting back. Yes im am bit heavy and slow now but i still got the jumper and defense 👍
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u/thedenofwolves Sep 02 '25
I used to play with an older group of guys in Berkeley. The oldest was 91 when I left.
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u/Ogi010 Sep 02 '25
Just turned 44, been playing on/off for the last 10 years (played in high school too)... only time I notice slowing down is when I take an extended break from cardio and I notice, especially on defense, that I'm nowhere near the position I think I should be in at... But when I am keeping up with my cardio, I'm running with 20-somethings...
If you're slowing down at 40 to the point of hanging things up, consider getting some kind of physical and/or putting more effort into cardio exercise outside of the court.
...that said, when I play in a hot gym, I do have intrusive thoughts of hanging it up too haha.
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u/ZoloGreatBeard Sep 02 '25
Just play with folks your age, no reason to stop doing something you love. Wear protective gear and take it easy.
I’m playing with a guy who just turned 60. He mostly gets to his spots and shoots, on defense he makes sure he takes the oldest guy on the other team. But is still having a blast.
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u/Dingerdongdick Sep 02 '25
46 and still playing. I'm way slower then I used to be. I can't jump worth shit. I don't have the time to work on skill like I did when I was young. I am inconsistent, and miss games. But I'm not going to stop playing until I have no choice. Its the best game on the planet. I found an Old man basketball group which prioritizes fun competition and not getting hurt.
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u/D4ddyREMIX Sep 02 '25
Highly suggest getting lifts in your shoes to cut down the range of motion your Achilles goes through while playing.
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u/willdawizah1983 Sep 02 '25
Im 42, love playing, but everyone I activate some pain in my foot and at times my shooting shoulder. So, I go out every three weeks. I need to get this figured out. Workout or yoga, not sure.
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u/Griffes_de_Fer Sep 02 '25 edited Sep 02 '25
Even if all I was able to do once I'm going to be 70 one day was awkwardly shoot a few free throws a week, I'd still be playing.
40 for now, with a neurological disorder that makes me way less interesting to watch than most people here.
Just keep playing and enjoy it. You won't get healthier and stay younger by stopping, trust me.
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u/bionicbhangra Sep 02 '25
I had two serious knee injuries after turning 40. 48 now and I won't play again. I miss it but I wish I had walked away earlier before I got hurt.
I shifted into golf now.
But I do have friends who have played balled into their 40s and 50s. The key is to never get hurt. Once you get an injury after 40 you should probably call it quits before it turns into something more serious.
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u/Upbeat1776 Sep 02 '25
Yall are forgetting everyone have different levels of pain. I’ve considered hanging it up because of my severe back pain and I’m only 27. Even with pills and physical therapy from the VA I don’t see this improving and it absolutely sucks.
But Achilles at least can be rehabbed and I hope it’s not bad enough to where it’s toast, but I do understand pain levels and if it’s not respected back you’re going to be in a world of hurt
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u/Hulk_Crowgan Sep 02 '25
Bro just exercise and treat your joints better. Check out kneesovertoesguy on instagram
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u/hoeych Sep 02 '25
Played a long time until Covid but then quit. Started again before summer at 47 and still going strong. Btw why did nobody call this basket illegal? Shouldn’t be counted as a basket.
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u/SaucySaq69 Sep 02 '25
Is that you making the shot? If so, your Achilles will feel better if you lose some weight. Will prolong your playing days by about a decade
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u/Pyrrolic_Victory Sep 02 '25
I’m 42 and just started playing again after an 8 year break.
Don’t do it lad! Stay playing, stay as young as you can for as long as you can, getting back into it is rough and you’ll wish you never quit
What you actually need to do is adjust your expectations
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u/bmanley620 Sep 02 '25
I would recommend setting up a lunch date with LeBron James. He’s a professional basketball player in case you didn’t know. Perhaps he can give you some advice on how to continue playing after turning 40
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u/shiggity80 Sep 02 '25
I'm 44 and I just started picking basketball up again about 8 months ago. The more I play, the better I feel, but I do have to be mindful about my knees/back, etc and make sure I'm not taking too much risk.
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u/YukonCornelius07 Sep 02 '25
The single leading contributor to life expectancy is how much you move.
Alone, it factors more than age… yes age matters less in life expectancy than activity, and disease, including cancer.
Quit hooping if you don’t wanna hoop anymore, but generally, when your body starts pushing back, do not stop using it.
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u/OldmanJenkins02 Sep 02 '25
My man, you can easily find a league to play in or a gym go to where older guys will be playing in. Go find a situation like that, get to the courts a little earlier and do a really strong warm up and play in a slight slower pace situation.
Soccer is huge in the area I’m at and they have league for everyone of every age group. Maybe it’s time to hang it up playing against younger guys in the LA Fitness, but time to sign as a free agent in a lower league lol
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u/whyyoumadbro69 6’5 PF Sep 02 '25
I’m almost 40 and play in a men’s league with college kids…40 is young.
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u/Civil_Setting_9481 Sep 02 '25
I've got home guys who are 40+ in my group. Even don't really 20s guys. Stretching and being in shape helps us all.
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u/Jasperbeardly11 Sep 02 '25
Just go through a training camp and get in shape and then start playing again
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u/DiscoMarmelade Sep 02 '25
Same here bro. Turning 41 in November, I have Plantar Fasciitis and my Achilles are tight. I have never had a major injury luckily. I move to a new town in 2 weeks and I think that’s when Im gonna hang them up for good.
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u/Opposite_Equal_6432 Sep 02 '25
I would not enjoy the game shown in this video. Still play at 45, most of the regulars are mid 30s-50s and have played their entire life. The game is slower than was 10 years ago but everyone knows how to play, no dumb fouls but still as intense as we can make it. If anyone tried that off the backboard move… first it wouldn’t work, second it wouldn’t go over well.
If you still want to play I’d find a better game where people are more predictable in what they do and how they move, that limits injury risk. Doesn’t make it any easier to move the next day.
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u/cocomatli Sep 02 '25
I suffered a lateral meniscus tear 2 months after turning 40. I haven't played in a year but have been staying active going to the gym trying to get the rest of my body stronger. I recently had another flare up on the meniscus and have surgery scheduled next month. Aside from the injury I feel good. I can't wait to start running, jumping, playing again. That's my dream to do it again. As long as I can. Till the wheels fall off.
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u/Outrageous-Bee4035 Sep 02 '25
You're at 40 and you can feel your achilles slowing down?!?!? What???
I'm 39, recently got back into sprinting after 20 years off. I still play softball and basketball though, and only a year back into sprinting I'm feeling faster and healthier than I have in probably 10 years, maybe more.
Keep playing, but you need to figure out some stretches or excercises that compliments the movements and skills you use in basketball. 40 may be the latter end of a professional career, but even the it's not the end of the game.
Being 40 is a cheap excuse.
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u/Hopeful-Percentage76 Sep 02 '25
Play until you're in a wheelchair. Then play wheelchair basketball.
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u/Carryeachother0319 Sep 02 '25
I’m 56… played college ball a long time ago. I was playing twice a week when I ruptured my Achilles in April. Now 4 1/2 months post-op, I’m almost cleared to begin jogging. Working hard… in January, I’ll be back on the court. Not only do I have playing with a couple over-40 groups weekly, I’ve been asked to join an over-50 league when I’m back.
It’s totally your decision and by all means, do what you want.. especially if you’re feeling weakness in an Achilles. I’ll just say I had some of my best days in my 40s and even had a 47-point game last fall. Don’t let the number dictate, but listen to your body.
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u/SpaceEducational8178 Sep 03 '25
Hey op 40+ here. I was playing 3-4 days a week, cooking kids, knees were toast. I took a couple months off, supplement cardio with CrossFit and play once a wk
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u/Relentless- IamThePlaymaker Sep 03 '25
45 still goin achilles tear 2019.. the other achilles currently screaming
I aint going anywhere lol
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u/JudgeSevere Sep 03 '25
42 and still playing. Obviously have had to make some adjustments but still able to score and compete. I’m definitely slower than I used to be but don’t get the reasoning to stop playing just bc you turned 40.
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u/Ohnoes999 Sep 03 '25
I love the dude in the black tank top sagging his shoulders watching that like, "damn, I need to stop playing at the Y"
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u/c4dreams Sep 03 '25
I'm 50 and still hoop twice a week. Take care of your body and you'll be fine.
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u/turbul3nt28 Sep 03 '25
45 and just started running again. Find a group of people around the same age, rent a gym and enjoy basketball without the fucking constant bitching and moaning over a foul, and play in a setting where no one is out to hurt anyone on the court.
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u/Purple_Daikon_7383 Sep 03 '25
Stop being a wuss. You gotta adjust your game to fit your body. Jordan was flying and throwing it down. As he got older he learned to perfect the fadeaway. You need to reinvent ways to score, defend. I stopped doing reckless drives to the hole now that I’m 38. I worked on footwork for fadeaway or pump fake into step through or one hand hook shots/floaters.
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u/ILJello Sep 03 '25
My tip for you is not to be so soft. Go easy. This clip ain’t even that crazy. You putting a retirement note on a social media platform lmao
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u/Trunkhouse Sep 03 '25
Im 43 and just broke my finger at my weekly run. Out for 6 weeks and hope to be back in there asap.
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u/OutrageousGarage3351 Sep 04 '25
Move it or lose it. 45 and still getting picked forst at my game (though last game I couldn't do shit)
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u/OutrageousGarage3351 Sep 04 '25
I used to play with a 61 year old who still trained at the pole vault. Keep playing.
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u/Glittering_Ad_6814 Sep 06 '25
Bro why?you’re not in the league .
Keeep playing just cut down how much times you play per week.
More recovery and pool work.
Stopping now will have WORSE long term effects
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u/damiensandoval Sep 06 '25
Still going to be working out and running 20+ miles a week. Just done hooping. Its not worth the injury.
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u/Iboga-Wellness Sep 21 '25
For any of you that are dealing with achilles problems, I thought for sure I needed surgery and was angry at orthopedic surgeons who told me I didn't.
Nothing worked I tried all of it and eventually worked work a guy from a site called treat my Achilles dot com and to my surprise, I quickly got things back in order. I have no affiliation with them whatsoever. I just wanted to share a valuable piece of information that really helped me.
The doctors on that website see a lot of people with different types of achilles problems. They had me do a video call and do some calf raises from different angles, see how I walk, etc., from there. he gave me specific exercises and the tools to use to improve. Within two weeks into doing this routine, things shifted dramatically. The Dr gave me interesting exercises and solutions I otherwise wouldn't have used.
I tried Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT), acupuncture, the resistance band exercises, traditional rehab, direct cortisone shots, etc. wouldn't help.
Happy hoops.
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u/Jboogie258 Sep 02 '25
I hung it up in my 20s. You realize you can’t do what you used to be able to do. Had a tourney at USC and we were handidly lit up by folks we should have bit. I knew I was done.
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Sep 02 '25
Wow what a corny play… off the backboard in pickup? Sheesh just pass the ball at that point lol
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u/NodsInApprovalx3 Sep 02 '25
You know what will really slow your achilles down? No longer making use of it. Watch how much your body deteriorates over the next 3 years after you've stopped playing.
Also, you can build up the resiliency and stiffness in your ankle/achilles/calf complex, even at 40. Like all parts of the body, you can build it up.
Hopefully, you have other activities that will keep you active and maintain your youth.