Overcoming Slumps in Soccer
All competitive soccer players have experienced a slump in their career at one point. In a slump, you can’t get into the flow of the game and nothing is clicking. While there might be many physical explanations for this, it’s likely that your slumping performance is due to a poor mental game.
We want our soccer athletes to learn how to stay focused and energized even when slumping or when not playing up to their ability.
We would not classify losing one game or one bad practice as a slump. Making a few bad passes or missing a break away would not qualify as a slump. We call it a slump when your performance decreases over a prolonged period of time.
So in order to improve performance and return to the level of play you are capable of, you need to determine if your slump is from physical causes or mental game causes. Not all slumps are due to mental game issues or challenges.
For example, if your coach puts you in a new position on the filed, this could lead to a temporary slump while you are adjusting to the change.
However, if you lose confidence, this could turn into mental game issue. Coming back from an injury can also cause a decrease in performance until you rebuild your strength and fitness.
If you think your slump is mental, the next step is to determine the specific mental game challenges that are blocking your performance.
Here are some common mental game challenges in soccer:
- Low self-confidence
- Expecting perfection
- Over training or burn out
- Self-esteem takes a knock when not performing up to high expectations
- Trying too hard to perform well
- Overly focused on results
- Fear of failure or fear of letting others down
- Frustration with not getting better fast enough
- Anxiety and tension under pressure
Below are tips for breaking free of your slump:
- Let go of results and focus on YOUR performance. We want you to use all your mental energy in order to play your best. If you are worried about the past or future, you will become distracted and your performance will suffer. Do not become obsessed with or pay so much attention to your wins or personal statistics. Instead, focus on your actual performance such as improving your fitness, footwork, shooting etc.
- Avoid comparing yourself to others, this will also become a distraction and take you away from your game. Focus on small performance gains and specific goals to improve your level of play daily.
- Stay committed to your goals and dreams in soccer. When you are in a slump it is easy to lose motivation or think about quitting. This means you have to stay patient and focus on what motivates and drives you in soccer.
- Focus on improving your mental game. Some athletes become so fixated on trying to improve their technique to climb out of a slump. They forget that soccer is a mental game. Address the mental game challenges that are holding you back.
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.
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?
“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
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?
“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 mini goals for each game and practice, how to lower his expectations 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. The confidence has helped him off the field as well to not have to be perfect in everything that he attempts. We can’t say enough about how grateful we are for Jaki!”
~Linda Black, Soccer Mom
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