I remember watching that PBA game last season where Allein Maliksi struggled to find his rhythm after returning from injury. He mentioned feeling "not yet in total shape" after being out of action early in the season, and honestly, that's something every athlete - especially us shorter players - can relate to. At 5'7", I've faced countless doubters who said I'd never make it in basketball or soccer. They'd point to LeBron James at 6'9" or soccer strikers averaging 6'0" and tell me to pick another sport. But here's the thing they don't understand - height is just one piece of the puzzle, and sometimes being shorter actually gives you advantages they never talk about.
Take soccer first. I've played against guys who towered over me, but when it came to ball control in tight spaces, my lower center of gravity made me quicker and more agile. Think about Lionel Messi - at 5'7" himself, he's arguably the greatest player ever. His low center of gravity allows him to change direction faster than taller defenders can react. In my own experience playing collegiate soccer, I found that shorter players typically have better ball control - we're talking about 15-20% better success rates in dribbling past defenders according to some studies I've seen. The key is leveraging what you have rather than mourning what you don't.
Basketball presents different challenges, but the principles remain the same. I'll never forget this game where I was matched up against a 6'5" point guard. Everyone expected him to dominate, but I used my quickness to disrupt his rhythm. Shorter players like Muggsy Bogues, who stood just 5'3", proved that heart and skill matter more than measurements. We might not block many shots, but we can create more steals - I've noticed shorter guards average about 2.5 more steals per game than taller counterparts. The court vision tends to be better too, since we're used to looking up and around obstacles our entire lives.
What Maliksi experienced - that feeling of being out of shape after time off - hits differently for shorter athletes. We can't afford to lose our edge because our margin for error is smaller. While taller players might get by on pure physicality, every inch of our game has to be sharp. That means when we're coming back from injury or off-season, we need to focus extra on regaining that explosive first step and lateral quickness. I've found that shorter athletes typically need about 3-4 weeks of intensive training to return to peak condition after a month off, compared to taller athletes who might need 5-6 weeks but can still contribute physically meanwhile.
The mental game is where shorter athletes either sink or swim. I've had coaches tell me I'd never start, only to earn that position through pure determination. You develop this chip on your shoulder that becomes your greatest weapon. Every time someone underestimates you, it fuels your fire. I remember specifically choosing jersey number 57 during my rookie year - not just random numbers, but a constant reminder of my height and the doubters I needed to prove wrong.
Nutrition and training become absolutely crucial. While taller players might focus on bulking up, we need lean muscle that enhances without sacrificing speed. My training regimen includes box jumps that are 150% of my height and agility ladder drills that taller players often struggle with. The beautiful part? These advantages translate directly to game situations - beating defenders to loose balls, maintaining possession in traffic, and that extra burst when everyone else is tired.
At the end of the day, success isn't about measuring tapes - it's about heart, skill, and making the most of what you have. The court and field have room for all types of athletes, and some of the most memorable players in history have been those who turned perceived disadvantages into legendary careers. So to every 5'7" player wondering if they can make it - yes, you absolutely can, and you might just surprise everyone including yourself.
French Soccer League©