What Mentality Do You Have On The Field?
What mentality do you arm yourself with when playing against naturally gifted soccer players?
When you play with more talented teammates or against skilled opponents, do you play with confidence or are you overwhelmed by nerves?
Some soccer players become so anxious playing against tougher competition that their performance drops off dramatically.
The soccer players feel helpless because they assume talent always wins. It is as if these players think, “I will never be as good as they are, so why try.”
But what if “talent” worked at a bare minimum and you dedicated yourself to vigorous, focused, committed, stouthearted effort… would that greatly increase your chances to succeed?
If you can work hard, put in the effort, comprehensively prepare and go for it in games, you can often beat those with talent who don’t put in the work.
B.J. Snow was hired as the U-17 Women’s National Team coach in 2013 and immediately wanted to develop a yeoman-like work mentality.
Snow, the former head coach of the UCLA Bruins women’s soccer team, set the tone for how he wants his team to train and the need to work hard.
SNOW: “We want the girls to know how to behave and certainly start to instill some of the philosophies about how we want to play, but we also want to put together a program for all of the girls so when they leave camp they are prepared to work on their own individual development.”
Former All-American and collegiate coach April Kater was hired with Snow as the Head Development Coach for the U.S. Youth Women’s National Teams in 2013.
Kater believes you may not be able to out-talent someone but you can definitely outwork your competitors. From her days as an elite soccer player, Kater has learned the value of hard work.
Kater: “Over my career, I really came to appreciate how much hard work pays off. I wasn’t naturally gifted athletically, but my will and work rate allowed me to compete with some of the best in the country. The experiences I had through U.S. Soccer camps and ODP allowed me to pave a path in playing and coaching and that hard work translates into other areas of your life. Obviously, we will be bringing in top players in the country who are very talented, but it’s the differences in mentality, in passion and work rate that can separate them at this level.”
Snow and Kater have instilled the importance of hard work and its impact on confidence as the U-17 Women’s National Soccer Team continues its preparation for World Cup qualifying matches.
Snow and Kater know that talent starts the road to a successful World Cup showing but it is hard work that actually wins the Cup.
Tip for Outworking your Competition:
Pick a word to define the level of effort you want to put forth as an athlete: relentless, outwork, out-learn, or stubborn. Identify what this word means to you…
What would a “relentless” soccer player do in training and competition?
Use this word as a guiding and motivating force when you practice and compete. Write the word on your hand, cleats, wristband or somewhere to trigger that competitive mindset.
Work… work hard… work focused… then work some more!
Check Out Our Video of The Week, Mental Toughness Training in Sports
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 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
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?
“Jaki is amazingly talented. She has a pretty cool way of guiding you to find those issues that are holding you back in your game. Through some pretty clever questions she’s been guiding me to discover the real issues behind my doubts and lack of confidence. With the tools she’s been giving me, I can say with full confidence I am on my way of signing a better professional contract.”
~Lucas Gonzales, Professional Soccer Player in Australia
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