Are you afraid to fail when playing soccer?
Does your fear of failure create greater pressure to play the perfect game?
Have you played in a soccer game where you felt tremendous pressure from your coaches, your parents and, even, your teammates?
Expectations were high and you probably felt the need to be and play perfect soccer…
Your anxiety steadily increased and you were afraid of making mistakes during the game…
You played it safe, not risking going for the ball, tentatively passing the ball and back on your heels defensively… leading to a subpar performance.
Fear of failure, the need to be perfect and trying to please everyone around you increased the pressure you experienced on the soccer field.
When the pressure is too great, your performance drops off dramatically.
Playing it safe or trying to avoid mistakes often leads to the very mistakes you are trying to avoid.
Playing it safe never leads to optimal performance.
Just as you can develop your technical skills in soccer and improve your play, developing the mental skill of managing pressure will allow you to utilize your physical skills optimally.
I interviewed United Kingdom mental coach Paul Miller regarding coping with pressure in sports.
Miller works with high level athletes helping them achieve their best and understand that often it is their mind that interferes with performance.
COHN: “Tell me a little bit about what pressure and who are the athletes that are most prone to be negatively affected by pressure?”
MILLER: “I find that athletes that get so caught up in their emotions find it difficult to be their best and, very often, it’s because of the expectations that they and their environment put on them.”
COHN: “What are some of the expectations that turn into pressure for young athletes?”
MILLER: “Many athletes are afraid to fail so they are not free to play their very best and that’s a distraction for them.
Most athletes survive on their skills and talents and have little knowledge on how to deal with their emotions and the mental aspects… and these athletes don’t really know that they can train themselves to be better at managing those things.”
COHN: “How do you help that athlete get back on track?”
MILLER: “It is important to understand when they are competing, what are the controllables and what are the uncontrollables… When they look at the controllables (what can they do) that will actually make [performance] get better. When an individual feels that their destiny is in their own hands, then they feel a lot more confident.”
Try these tips to overcome the fear of fail and play your best soccer:
- Tip #1: Understand the things that you can control in your performance. Write out a list of “controllables” (your thoughts, competition strategy, routines, etc.) and the “uncontrollables” (weather, officiating, field conditions, competition, etc.) of athletic performance.
- Tip #2: You should create plan on how to stay focused on the controllables: “During warm-up, I’ll focus on…” “During the game, I’ll focus on…” “When I notice my mind drifting or if my emotions are getting the best of me, I’ll refocus on…”
-For Peaksports Members- Listen to the full interview with Paul Miller here: Peaksports Member Network
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?
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Soccer Confidence: Mental Toughness Strategies For a Competitive Edge
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~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.
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- 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?
“Dr. Cohn, Michelle had the best weekend of soccer she has ever played. She was relaxed, did not get frustrated with herself or teammates, and never once ‘shut down.’ Numerous parents noticed a difference in her composure and attitude. Thanks again for EVERYTHING…Michelle is in a very good place right now!”
~Diana, Michelle’s Mother
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
It’s crazy to think that a fear of failure actually leads to more failure! When players are so worried about being “perfect” they get so wrapped up in what might go wrong they can actually freeze up and make more mistakes than they normally might.
I have this problem…. I realized when I’m playing a pick up game I’m myself and I can play, but when the coaches are watching I make alot of mistakes more than usual. It’s like I’m not playing like me.
I do this to. But I find I preform well in games but get extremely nervous in practice it really frustrates me because I play at such an advanced level and I feel very insecure.
Sir pls answer this…, when I am playing a friendly match with my old fellow friends or with unknown peolpe I am confident ..but ass the ball reaches me i get pressurised and and an’t able to perform according to performence which is quite well …Actually i am a winger and many a timea i get a chance to cut the defenders but .. at the right moment my fear is at my whole body specially my MIND .. so pls help …if u could help it would be a very appriciated..
Sir I m having this kind of problem in our practice sessions I do outstanding performance but match situations i will get tensed some kind of ericcs and nervous how to eliminate these … Help me pls…
sir please when ever i am in the filed i am confident and then when i pass the ball wrongly ,my teamates shoutes at me and then i get . afaird and any time the ball comes to i dont know what to do please help me
Sir am a mild fielder,i always play my ball with fear and without confidence
I played & started in academy 3 years, quit when new coach benched me for 5 games. I was angry and confused. I joined a low level team that wasn’t serious about the game, I played H.S. was made Capt played hard but we lost our 1st CIF game. I can’t play anymore. I physically get sick, itchy skin, tightness of breath.