Unfortunately, for many footballers, matchday has very little to do with the joy and fun of playing. The environment, the coach, the press, other external factors, or high expectations of themselves create considerable pressure . From a footballer's perspective, this can look like this.
Everyone's looking at me, waiting for the perfect game. I don't want to disappoint them! I don't want to disappoint myself either. I'll live up to those expectations. The day is approaching, and my thoughts are circling only on this one moment. Torn between confidence and the horror scenario in my head. My heart rate is racing just thinking about it...
For days beforehand, thoughts keep circling around that infamous Day X. The match day when all eyes are on, analyzing in front of the TV, in the stands, or on the sidelines.
Day X has come
Suddenly the time has come, the day has arrived and excessive nervousness rarely has a positive effect on the game, as this example shows.
I didn't sleep well; thoughts of this kept me awake for a long time! The tension and nervousness are already palpable in the morning and increase as kickoff approaches. Nevertheless, I tell myself: "I'm ready! I'll deliver a perfect game!"
I walk into the stadium, all eyes on me. The referee blows the whistle to start the game, and I could puke with excitement.
I know the first few passes have to be right; that will give me confidence. However, I feel heavy, and my body isn't doing what my head wants. A simple pass, which I manage easily in training, isn't reaching my teammates.
It's the first mistake of the game, and a murmur goes through the stadium. The second mistake soon follows, and people look at each other questioningly...what's going on? I feel my insecurity; I wish I were as small as possible so that my teammates wouldn't notice me and stop passing to me.
Things get worse: the third mistake, the first boos. Then, the logical consequence of the downward spiral that's been unleashed, the fourth mistake. The entire stadium whistles, and I say to myself in disappointment: "Perfect game? No way!"
What can you do to avoid breaking under the pressure and performing below your potential out of nervousness?
What can I do to reach my full potential?
Here are some principles you need to understand to reach your full potential on game day.
Nervousness leads to a narrowed perspective and less creativity on the field. Furthermore, coordination between mind and body is disrupted. A simple ball control, which is easy in training, becomes a challenge on match day. The ball bounces away, making it easy for the opponent to steal it.
The motto here is: Keep it simple!
Focus on the simple things in the game that you have direct control over. This might mean, for example, making a sole resolution to fight like a lion and go full throttle from the very first minute. For these two resolutions, you need nothing but your willpower.
If you only focus on these two things, it will reduce your nervousness because you have it directly under control.
If you only expect fight and full commitment from yourself, then every additional good move will give you confidence, and a bad pass won't cost you any confidence. This way, you can easily get yourself into a flow state through fight and commitment, so that even the "difficult" things will succeed as the game progresses.
The problem is, if you go into the game with a thousand resolutions and very high expectations, then after the first mistake, all hell breaks loose in your head. You lose confidence, and this becomes apparent with the next pass. Hesitant and uncertain, you step on the ball, and the downward spiral begins.
It's a paradox, but you'll tend to play a much better game if you expect less of yourself!
Lower your high expectations of yourself; that takes a huge amount of pressure off you. If you put less pressure on yourself, you'll feel less nervous. If you're more relaxed, you'll also be more creative and often solve things intuitively.
Your focus should not be on playing a perfect game, because the demand to be perfect and not make mistakes will hinder your performance rather than improve it.
Focus on the simple things and on succeeding in each individual situation. Even if you make a mistake, it's not a big deal. In the end, the overall picture of the game is what counts, and mistakes are part of that.
There are only a few players who can boast a 100% pass completion rate in some games. A flawless game isn't the best way to stand out on the field anyway. Taking risks and, if necessary, making up for mistakes is more likely to stick in the minds of spectators, scouts, and even the coach, rather than boring perfection.
So the next time you make a mistake, all that matters is how you react to it. At the end of the game, the big picture is all that matters anyway.
Sergio Ramos, for example, is a defender who isn't known for his flawless performances. On the contrary, he frequently makes mistakes. Nevertheless, he is one of the best footballers in the world.
The principle here is:
To play perfectly, you don't have to play perfectly.
Being a champion in your mind means that you will never be under
your possibilities.
80% Decides in the mind
Tactically, everyone is highly trained, equipment can no longer make a difference, and training methods are more or less identical for everyone. The only factor that can (still) massively differentiate you from your competition is training your mind.
The higher the football level, the more important the mental factor becomes
Ottmar Hitzfeld says that the mental factor determines 80% of success or failure. The sad truth is that most people devote less than 5% of their training time to strengthening their minds.
Who can benefit from mental training in football? And how?
Not only footballers can benefit enormously from mental training, but also coaches, support staff, player agents, and parents. Those who understand and utilize the enormous potential of mental training will definitely become more successful in football and can significantly advance their team or their players.
footballer
World champions in training, fear of making mistakes, nervousness, or not being able to handle the pressure. There are many other mental reasons why so many footballers perform far below their potential. Mental training is ideal for addressing these issues.
football coach
Keeping the team motivated, building an unbeatable team, and getting the most out of every player requires a great deal of psychological knowledge. There are many mental tools and exercises that can help you achieve just that.
Football Consultant
Mental strength translates into better performance on the pitch. A good performance attracts a lot of attention and attracts the interest of various clubs. Clubs are happy to pay high transfer fees for good footballers.
Soccer parents
It's often not easy for parents when their child wants to become a professional footballer. It requires a significant investment of time, patience, and nerves. How can you best support your child without putting pressure on them?
Click here for the Mental Champion Academy for footballers
It's logical that a strong mental state increases your chances of success enormously . I'm even convinced that success depends at least 80% on mental strength.
Only those who are mentally strong are able to achieve their dreams, visions and goals in the long term and with persistence.
The good news is that your mental state can be trained. You can become not just mentally strong, but a true MENTAL CHAMPION!
Nico De Villa, the author of this blog, takes people and teams on the path to the mental Champions League. A champion in their mind will lead a champion in life! Nico is an expert when it comes to developing visions with people and teams that are maximally motivating. He then develops mental strategies for systematically achieving and successfully implementing big visions.
With the experience Nico De Villa has gained as a football mental coach and in football mental training, he knows exactly the demands, secrets, and pitfalls of success.
For those who become a MENTAL CHAMPION , football success is not a coincidence, but the logical consequence.
Finally show everything you've got and unleash your full potential on the pitch!
A true champion is born in the mind!
Click here for the Mental Champion Academy for footballers
Get answers to your questions every week! Nico will answer them anonymously in a weekly live session. Plus, you'll have access to a constantly growing video library!
