Motivating Your Athlete
“UGH… Practice!” Every young soccer player has uttered these words at some point during a long season when motivation dwindles.
Long hours of practice, monotonous training, slumps and adversity can chip away at a soccer player’s motivation.
Motivation is not just an issue for soccer players but their parents and coaches as well.
Lack of motivation can be particularly frustrating for coaches as they watch their athletes waste the opportunity to improve as a soccer player and reach their potential as an athlete.
In our soccer surveys, coaches and parents express concern about their athletes lack of motivation in training, practices, and even games.
For example, one parent asked for help with the following scenario;
“My daughter plays on a very good team, with an awesome coach. She is lacking the motivation and focus to get better. She will listen but is not motivated to practice outside of the scheduled times or look at her game and set goals for what she needs to work on.”
“My concern with these efforts is that it would be more about my desires than her desires and needs. She does not see the need. She does want to play but will be left behind unless she will make the effort to play at the level that she has shown in the past.”
It’s frustrating to watch athletes not give full effort to build upon her skills and improve their game. They may have the talent, but do not work hard enough. These athletes now get passed by teammates who have improved at a higher rate.
You know that more dedicated practice will lead to reaching one’s potential but athletes often do not see the need. Even in practice these athletes’ lackadaisical attitude can become a distraction for the team.
To help your athletes, you must be able to strike a delicate balance between encouraging them and pushing too hard. Pushing athletes too hard will cause some to push back even more.
How To Motivate Without Being Too Pushy
Listen – Listen to what your athletes needs instead of telling your athletes they should “do this” or “do that,” ask your athletes how you can help. You could suggest, “If you want any additional coaching or training to improve your skills, I can help you with that.”
This shows your support without adding pressure.
If you are a parent. Be a parent and not a sideline coach. After a game, steer clear of giving too much feedback. Ask effective questions, such as “How was practice?,” “Did you do anything fun in practice?” or “How did you think you did today in the game?”
Celebrate Effort – It’s easy to fall into the trap where you only reward success but it is more effective to recognize effort. Praising effort increases effort.
Being supportive, showing interest and giving a nudge are the best methods to enhance your athletes’ motivation and foster hard work without adding undue pressure.
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?
With the mental tools my soccer
mental training program has given 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
“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
Boost Your Self-Confidence And Focus With Expert Mental Game Coaching!
If you’re a top performer during practice but find yourself under-performing in competition, the most likely culprit holding you back is your mental game. In fact, many athletes struggle with the same problem….
Master mental game coach Dr. Patrick Cohn can help you overcome your mental game issues with personal coaching.
Meet with us via Skype, phone, FaceTime, or GoTo Meeting. With today’s video technology, we are able to connect with athletes and coaches all over the globe.
Mental toughness coaching helps serious athletes like you to uncover the beliefs and attitudes that keep you from performing to your potential. You’ll learn mental game strategies to perform at your peak more often, overcoming performance plateaus and lack of consistency
Call us toll free at 888-742-7225 or contact us for more information about the different coaching programs we offer!
What are our mental coaching students 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
“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
“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
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