Developing a Positive Mindset For Success
Your greatest weapon when playing soccer is your mind prior to and during the game.
Your mindset is how you mentally approach and prepare for soccer.
When you have an effective mindset, you have belief that you can win games, or at least compete at a high level even against very good teams.
Negative thoughts will creep in for you, but the goal is to have most of your thoughts enhance confidence and have the ability to refocus when negativity creeps in.
A positive mindset reduces anxiety prior to games, allows you to play freely or intuitively on the pitch and keeps the focus on the task at hand.
A positive mindset not only affects how you approach games, but also how you approach practices and training sessions.
When you have intensity and drive, you train hard and compete in practice rather than merely being physically present in practice.
When you have a strong mindset, you are passionate about competition and enjoy playing your sport, both of which contribute to your success as an athlete.
Is your mindset helpful or hurt your game?
If your mindset is mostly negative, do you think you can do anything about it? Or do you believe “it is what it is?”
The truth is your mindset is a choice. YOU control your mindset.
Your mindset is something you foster by your decision of where to place your focus.
Focus on fear, deficiencies in your game, mistakes, comparisons or the negative criticisms of other, you will grow a negative mindset… and that negative mindset will show in your performance during games.
Focus on your strengths, effort in training, successes and your will to improve your game, and you will cultivate a positive mindset.
A positive mindset will produce positive results in games. Positive results don’t always mean wins; it means playing aggressively, playing to your potential, competing throughout the game, never giving up and making plays.
One example of how mindset affects play on the pitch is the Arsenal FC. The Arsenal has an abundance of talent, yet has under performed in 2017.
Arsenal forward, Alexis Sanchez, has been vocal and frustrated by team’s failure to challenge for the Premier League title and blames the team’s negative mindset for holding them back.
SANCHEZ: “When it comes to winning the Premier League we often lose or draw against teams at home when we are superior. I’ve always said we have great players here, it’s just about having the mentality of being a great player and going out on to the pitch already thinking about winning.”
The Arsenal made a concerted effort to change their mindset and the results have been significant.
The Arsenal turned their performance around at the end of the season winning four games in a row and finished their season on a positive note by beating Chelsea in FA Cup final.
SANCHEZ: “That’s what we’ve [Aresenal] done in the last three games. We had the mentality to win at all costs and we won and we won well.”
Change your mindset… change your game!
Tips For Fostering a Positive Competitive Mindset:
“Competitive” means to compete or to make a full-out effort to be successful.
You can improve your mindset by getting into the habit of competing at your peak all the time. Start competing in practice… push during drills, race to the ball, play aggressively during scrimmages, etc.
As you start winning battles, finishing first during runs, hustling in games, you will notice that your mindset changes… and the results will be positive!
Learn all my mental game strategies for mental toughness in soccer with “Soccer Confidence” CD and workbook program.
Discover Mental Game Secrets to Soccer Confidence!
Does your confidence seem to disappear when you go from practice to games?
Do you get nervous and anxious in big games or when under a ton of pressure?
Do you get so frustrated after making a bad pass that your confidence sinks?
If you are ready to improve your mental toughens and perform with ultimate self-confidence in games, check out our program:
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.
Learn the top eight mental game lessons for soccer players to boost your mental game and improve consistency. You’ll learn how to mentally prepare for games to performing under pressure to building unstoppable confidence!
Soccer Confidence: Mental Toughness Strategies For a Competitive Edge
What are our mental game program customers 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
“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 mental game subscribers saying?
“Adam is truly one of your success stories. We purchased the CD program for him last year around this time. He is a soccer goalie and needed more confidence. The change was dramatic and he still goes through the exercises before a big game.”
~Stella Prevost, Soccer Mom
“At the start of the year my 10 year old was selected in a youth development program for soccer in Australia. Occasionally, he would show signs of frustration that would end with him dissolving into tears and subsequently checking out of the game wanting to quit. I found your ‘Composed Athlete’ CD program. I see a new focused, composed child who really enjoys his soccer and the challenges it presents. Thank you so much for the work you do with youth sports psychology. I know for a certainty that his football career would have been very short lived without it.”
~Cherie Medway, Soccer Mum from Australia
Mental 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?
“My son is a soccer goalie and a tremendous athlete. Although he did well, there were times he suffered from a lack of confidence and his performance would go up and down. I found your site and purchased the confident athlete and the composed athlete. Wow! What a difference. After going through the CD programs, I can say it had a huge affect on my sons performance. Your programs work. Period. Your workbooks and audio CDs were worth every penny. I am very thankful for them and so is my son.”
~Greg Cordle, Soccer Parents
“Maggie had such a great weekend. As always, after she works with you she just seems more grounded and focused. She’s less likely to look around and get distracted during her match. She’s more focused on one point at a time. Also, as a parent, I’ve learned to encourage her process goals and not outcomes. Consequently, she played well and won her first doubles match, upsetting a seeded team in a really really close match!”
~Katherine Johnson Cannata, Maggie’s mother
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