How To Mentally Prepare For Your Big Break
What barrier are YOU trying to overcome in soccer? Do you have any comfort zones?
Maybe your goal is to get some playing time… or break into the starting line-up… or make a traveling or collegiate soccer team?
Sometimes soccer players never achieve the breakthrough they were looking for.
For these soccer players, the feeling is they have not seen the fruits of their labor… These soccer players feel like they have failed or, more likely feel like they are failures.
There are several reasons why some soccer players don’t achieve the breakthrough they want:
- Some players simply don’t put in the required amount of work.
- Some soccer players don’t have the confidence in their ability to achieve greater success.
- Some players give up too soon when adversity hits.
- Some soccer players are overwhelmed by pressure when they get their opportunity.
Achieving a breakthrough takes hard work, patience, more hard work, and the ability to perform under pressure.
Breaking through to a new level requires a certain persistent mindset that won’t allow a person or an obstacle hold them back from achieving their goal.
Realistically, there will be times where you feel beaten down and may question your abilities but those doubts are fleeting and you tell yourself to get back on the field one more time… then one more time… then one more time!
Success is not like a fast food restaurant where you pay your money and immediately get your food.
Success is more like hunting in the wild… you have to make you own spear, wait patiently for your prey, prepare your food, then cook it before you partake in your dinner.
San Jose Earthquakes goalkeeper David Bingham knows exactly how difficult it can be to achieve a breakthrough.
Bingham was drafted in 2011 and played in only five games in his first four seasons.
Nonetheless, Bingham kept working hard for his opportunity and it came in 2015 when he was named starting goalkeeper for the Earthquakes.
Not only did Bingham get a chance, he made the most of his opportunity.
As a full-time starter in 2015 and playing in every single regular-season minute, Bingham tied San Jose’s single-season record with 12 shutouts.
Bingham even earned his first full-team cap with the USMNT in 2016, shutting out Canada 1-0.
The keys for Bingham’s breakthrough were patience and focusing on the work he needed to do in the moment to best prepare himself for his opportunity.
BINGHAM: “If you want to keep getting called into the national team, you can’t focus on that. You have to focus on your club team because good performances here will get me there. That’s the main thing, is not stepping too far ahead again and always thinking about the national team. Gotta focus on here first.”
Like Bingham, to achieve your breakthrough, you must have a view of the “big picture” but stay focused on the little details in each moment so you are mentally prepared for your big break.
Tip for your successful breakthrough moment:
Ask yourself 3 questions:
- What three things do I need to do to achieve my big picture goal?
- How can I work on these 3 things today?
- (At the end of the day) How well did I focus on these things?
If you can successfully focus on the details each day, you will be prepared to make that breakthrough happen.
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?
“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
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?
“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
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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