Do You Play Safe To Avoid Criticism?
Do you constantly wonder what your coaches are thinking? Do you lose confidence if your coach yells at you or criticizes your performance? Do you try to avoid mistakes as an attempt to escape the wrath of your coach?
The soccer players we work with at Peak Performance Sports often lose confidence when their coach criticizes their game. These soccer players constantly judge their performance and wonder if their coach approves of their last shot or pass.
Do YOU play safe and avoid taking risks for fear of getting yelled at by your coach?
Soccer players who feel the need to please their coaches engage in what we call “mind reading.”
Mind reading is when an athlete assumes what his or her coach is thinking.
Soccer players might assume their coach is going to bench them if they make one more mistake or they might assume their coach thinks they are the worst player on the team.
In most cases, when soccer players make assumptions, they are thinking worst-case scenario. In addition, when soccer players mind read they are completely distracted from the cues and thoughts that will help them perform on the field.
Their performance suffers when they make false assumptions. Athletes forget that their coaches are being hard on them because they believe in their ability to play.
Soccer players who rely on their coaches’ approval are at risk of riding what we call “the confidence roller coaster.” Their confidence goes up and down depending on the feedback from the coach.
Coaches use different styles of coaching so we teach our soccer players how to develop their confidence based on things they can control.
How can you develop stable confidence based on aspects of your game you can control?
First, use your coaches’ feedback to get better and improve your game. Don’t assume your coaches think you’re a bad player just because they say you should have taken the shot instead of passed it, for example.
Second, focus on what makes you feel confident, such as your pregame preparation, years of experience in soccer, training, and strengths.
Instead of losing confidence when your coach provides feedback about your skills, try to use it to help motivate you and improve your game.
Staying confident after your coach criticizes your skills is just one aspect of having a strong mental game.
Download our free eBook titled “7 ‘Costly’ Mental Game Mistakes That Block Soccer Players’ Success” to learn more.
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?
“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
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?
“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
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