How Mental Training Can Improve Soccer Performance
Many soccer players are confused about the role of soccer psychology and how mental training can improve your performance. The goal of soccer psychology is to help soccer players and teams perform their best by improving mental skills that help athletes excel in sports.
Soccer Psychology is not about working with problem athletes or abnormal behavior.
Mental training or mental game coaching is the segment of sports psychology that concentrates specifically on coaching athletes on how to break through the mental barriers that keep them from performing up to their peak potential. Learning mental game strategies via mental game coaching helps to improve your overall performance by enhancing preparation and consistency.
A myth that most athletes maintain is the view that mental and physical aspects of soccer are separate.
Some athletes believe they must first master “perfect” technique or mechanics before they can improve their mental game, mindset, or mental skills. Our philosophy is that you cannot separate the mental from the physical when it comes to playing your best. Soccer psychology helps athletes develop confidence and focusing skills and is just as important as mastering the technical aspects of sport.
When is Soccer Psychology Needed?
- You are more relaxed and perform better in practice compared to games
- You become upset if your performance isn’t perfect
- You become distracted and anxious when others are watching
- You experience doubt about your ability to perform
- You are tense, feel anxious, or scared when you perform in competition
- You limit your performance with strict expectations (“I MUST score 2 goals today”)
- How you feel about yourself or your self-worth depends on your performance
- You lose focus during crunch-time, overtime, or penalty kicks
- After injury, even when you are fully recovered, you play hesitant and do not perform the way you did pre-injury
- You know you could play better if you had more confidence
How Can Soccer Psychology Be Useful?
- Improve focus and block out distractions
- Increase confidence and reduce doubts
- Learn how to move on from setbacks and errors
- Find the right zone of intensity during pregame warm-ups
- Help teams develop good chemistry, communication, and cohesion
- Create a healthy belief system and correct irrational thoughts
- Increase motivation and work ethic
- Help soccer players return to sport with confidence after an injury
- Learn how to enter the “zone” more and refocus
Want to learn more about soccer psychology strategies?
Start by downloading our free report titled 7 Mental Game Mistakes that Block Soccer Players’ Success
Related Sports Psychology Articles
- The Psychology of Soccer Injuries
- Sports Psychology for Soccer: The Missing Link
- How Elite Soccer Players Raise the Bar and Achieve Excellence
- Subscribe to The Sports Psychology Podcast on iTunes
- Subscribe to The Sports Psychology Podcast on Spotify
Download a free sports psychology report to improve your mental game!
Learn more about our one-on-one mental game coaching.
Get the Mental Edge – With Mental Training
Do you perform well in practice, but find yourself under-performing in games? Do you doubt your skills and second-guess yourself under pressure? If so, mental training will help you reach your goals in soccer. Many soccer players have the skill but are held back by low confidence and lack of pregame mental preparation!
You can get expert mental coaching with us from anywhere. Meet with us via Zoom, Skype, FaceTime or phone call. With today’s video technology, we are able to connect with athletes and coaches all over the globe.
Call Us Today to Schedule Your Free 15-Minute Session.
Find Out How You Can Benefit From One-on-One Mental Coaching!
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