Reaching the Next Level
Are you content with your current level of play? Do you have a plan to improve your soccer game?
What got you to where you are now may not get you to where you want to go.
A soccer player who responded to our Mental Game of Soccer Survey asked for help in raising his level of play:
“I know I am a good player. I play well in games but can’t seem to break out and get to the next level. Is there anything I can do to speed this process along?”
Talent alone will not get you to the next level. When you rely solely on talent, you can easily become frustrated. Even a little bit of frustration can zap your motivation and leave you feeling like you are stuck in a performance rut.
Next level play requires next level commitment and preparation…
You have the ability, but now you need a plan for what you need to do and how to execute the plan: For example, “What do I need to improve?” I need to improve my dribbling with my non-dominant leg. “How will I execute this plan?” I will go to practice 10 minutes early and work with my coach on dribbling drills.
Let’s look at the second part of your question, “How can I speed things along?”
You will need a bit of patience to develop this skill, but consistency and visualization can help. Visualizing performing the skill correctly or performing the skill effectively in games can help with skill mastery.
Diego Rossi is a 22 year-old forward for MLS club Los Angeles FC. In the four games after the hiatus from the coronavirus, Rossi has six goals and two assists. In Rossi’s two previous seasons, he played 66 games with a total of 28 goals and 16 assists.
Rossi’s teammate Dejan Jakovic has praised Rossi for taking his game to a new level.
JAKOVIC: “In this [2020] tournament, he’s showing everyone what he’s capable of doing. His biggest improvement since the start is his finishing. His accuracy has improved, his work rate is always up there, but creating those opportunities and finishing them is what separates him.”
Rossi’s high level of effort and focus on improving his game over the years was also recognized by his head coach Bob Bradley.
BRADLEY: “He’s worked hard on his finishing, you’ve seen the improvement there. Just a couple years he’s gone from a young player… to someone who is relentless.”
The common thread is not just hard work but hard work with a purpose in practice. Rossi has paid great attention to finish his scoring opportunities and that focused plan and effort has pushed Rossi’s game to a new level.
When you commit to a plan or mental strategies to improve your play and you focus on those skills or strategies each practice, next-level play becomes foreseeable in the future.
Next Level Preparation
The first question to ask yourself is “What skills and strategies do you need to work on to get to the next level?”
To help you with this question, you can enlist the help of your coach or a mental game coach.
Next, develop a plan for how you will improve those skills in practice. Part of that plan should include how you will work on those skills daily and how you will evaluate your progress.
Breaking out or getting to the next level does not happen overnight. Next level play requires consistent effort, commitment, and daily goal getting to improving your soccer skills.
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
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