Taking Practice Confidence to Games
The number one reason a soccer player or coach contacts a mental game coach for soccer is because a player performs better in practice than in competition. This is a telltale sign that you or your athlete is struggling with their mental game.
What does it look like when you can’t take your practice game to competition?
Do you play freely and relaxed in practice, but choke up in competition? Does your performance feel tight, controlled, or lack freedom when you compete? Does the pressure of big games cause you to tense up and lose trust in your skills?
Many hard-working and determined soccer athletes lose confidence when it comes time to compete. There are many reason soccer players perform better in practice than in games.
Here are some ways soccer players get in their own way mentally during competition:
- You focus on the strengths of your competitors rather than your own strengths.
- You think about technique while you play and over analyze your passes and shots.
- Fear of failure causes you to become anxious and tighten up.
- You try to avoid making mistakes by “playing safe” or more defensive.
- You expect perfection and get hung up after a few bad passes.
All of these mental game barriers lead to under-performance when it counts the most. You then become frustrated because you know you SHOULD play better, the way you did yesterday in practice!
If your mind is getting in the way during competition, what’s the solution?
The first step is to understand how you are sabotaging your game in competition.
Are you being held back by fear of failure? Do you worry what your coaches, parents, or teammates will think if you mess up? Are you trying to play perfect soccer?
Once you understand how you’re getting in your own way, you can address it and make changes.
Here’s an example of a common mental game mistake soccer players make in competition:
Many soccer players we work with continue “training” when they compete. They bring their “practice mindset” to competition. They worry more about how it looks and feels rather than just getting the job done.
If this rings true for you, the key is to learn to separate your practice from your game-time attitude.
But even more important, you have to commit to playing ugly soccer, letting go of technique, and to getting the job done when you compete. When you arrive to the soccer field, it’s time to have faith in your team, trust your training, and believe in your skills.
We provided only a few examples of how your mental game can get in your own way, take our free mental game assessment for soccer to determine other mental game barriers to peak performance in competition.
Download our free e-book, “7 Mental Game Challenges that Block Soccer Player’s Success”, and learn how to overcome other mental game barriers soccer players face.
Do You Make Any of These ‘Costly’ Mental Game Mistakes?
Download our FREE soccer psychology report and discover if you make any of these ‘costly’ mental game mistakes that can block your success.
You’ll discover:
- How your soccer mind can be your best or worst asset on the field.
- How frustration and dwelling are your worst enemy.
- If you are using your soccer mindset effectively before games.
- Learn the important mental game of soccer skills you need to master to boost your confidence and performance.
7 ‘Costly’ Mental Game Mistakes That Block Soccer Players’ Success
What are soccer psychology subscribers saying?
“We try and spend 20 to 30 minutes a day working on the mental aspects of the game. My daughter is really enjoying it and feels it has helped and I know it has worked for her mother and I. I think you need to open a branch up here in Detroit, Michigan because there are a lot of parents and kids up here that need this information. Keep up the good work!”
~Scott Burgess, Soccer Parent
Learn Mental Game Secrets to Soccer Confidence!
Does your confidence seem to disappear when you go from practice to games and don’t know why? Do you get nervous and anxious in big games or when you are under a ton of pressure? Do you get so frustrated when you make a bad pass which causes your confidence to sink?
Check out Soccer Confidence: Mental Toughness Strategies For a Competitive Edge
Learn proven strategies to improve focus, composure and confidence so you can perform at your peak in games!
Players: Get the mental edge by learning how to take control of your confidence, mentally prepare for games and perform with composure under pressure.
Trainers: Learn how to give your students the mental game advantage.
Coaches: Boost your team’s confidence using simple proven mental strategies.
Parents: Help boost your soccer player’s confidence. Don’t let their mind hold them back any longer.
Soccer Confidence: Mental Toughness Strategies For a Competitive Edge
What are soccer confidence customers saying?
“I have enjoyed and benefited from your emails over the past year or two. I have been a player, parent, and coach in soccer over the past 40 years. Thanks for the assistance with the mental game resources.”
~Kyle Congleton, Soccer Coach and Parent
Mental Game Coaching for Soccer Players
Master mental game coach Dr. Patrick Cohn can help you overcome your mental game issues with personal coaching.
You can work with Dr. Patrick Cohn himself in Orlando, Florida or via Skype, FaceTime, or telephone. Call us toll free at 888-742-7225 or contact us for more information about the different coaching programs we offer!
We look forward to helping you improve your mental toughness!
What are our mental coaching students saying?
“Our son plays academy level soccer. Jaki taught him how to focus on goals for each game and practice and understand that mistakes are necessary to grow as a player, and helped his perfectionism. We saw a noticeable difference within one month with improvement each month thereafter. He was more confident, happy, and was having fun again at soccer.”
~Linda, Ryan’s Mother
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