Players Who Feel Intimidated
Do you or your players feel intimidated by other competitors?
Soccer players often compare their skill to other players. They wonder if other players are faster, stronger, or more skilled.
If you compare yourself to your opponents, you’ll likely feel intimidated and lose confidence.
Most of the time, you’ll focus only on the strengths of other players, and look past their weaknesses.
This puts your competitors on a pedestal and makes you feel inferior. When you’re focused on the strengths of your competitors, it’s nearly impossible to feel confident and focused.
Some players do try to intimidate their competition intentionally because they think it gives them a mental edge or feel they need to this to win.
For example, one soccer player we worked with, would feel intimidated by the other team if they had lost to them before. This prevented him from taking players on or making through passes.
Here’s why making comparisons hurts your confidence and performance in soccer:
When you make comparisons to other players, you’re focusing on what makes your competitors better. This causes you to think about what skills you’re lacking. You’re focused on your weaknesses, and the reasons you won’t be successful on the field. With this mindset, you’ll lose confidence and be held back from playing up to your ability.
What’s the mental toughness solution to this confidence destroyer in soccer?
The first step is to recognize when you tend to compare your skills to other soccer players. Does it happen before big games? Do you make comparisons at tryouts?
Be aware when you or your players:
- Focus on your competitors during the warmup.
- Have doubts about playing well against a certain team.
- Are intimidated by specific players.
- Feel inferior to the competition and make comparisons to others.
The second step is to focus on the strengths you have in soccer.
Sounds simple, right? we know it’s not that simple. Start by making a list of your strengths in soccer. Focus on what you do well on defense, offense, and 1v1 attacking, for example. Review this list before games and tryouts.
Don’t put other soccer players on a pedestal. It’s the number one way to psych yourself out and lose confidence in soccer.
Also, think about competing to the best of your ability instead of competing against other soccer players who look good, or who have big names, or who intimidate you.
Comparing yourself to others hurts your confidence and success in soccer.
It intimidates you. Instead, focus on your own strengths and talents and on your performance.
Related Sports Psychology Articles
- Soccer Players Who Perform in Practice but Lose Confidence in Games
- Players Who Lose Confidence After Coaches’ Criticism
- Players Who Lose Confidence When Others Are Watching
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