Mindset and Getting to the Next Level

How to Take Your Soccer Game to the Next Level

What Mindset Helps Players Get to the Next Level?

Many ingredients go into success in soccer, such as hard work, ball skills, quick reactions, aggressiveness, focus, conditioning, etc.

However, two elements lay the foundation for success at a higher level: Confidence and risk-taking.

  1. Confidence is not just in your current abilities but also in your ability to develop the necessary skills for next-level performance.
  2. Risk-taking is challenging yourself to improve by adding new elements to your training, including technical training, physical conditioning, and mental training.

Confidence and risk-taking work hand-in-hand. Without confidence or the belief you can reach the next level, you won’t push yourself or add new elements to your training regimen.

Likewise, if you are unwilling to adapt your training or take steps to improve your mental skills, you won’t be confident when you play against elite competition.

Many players talk about wanting to get to the next level, yet not all do what is required. Some are unwilling to put in the work, while others have an overriding fear of failure that prevents them from trying something new or stepping outside their comfort zone.

When you consistently challenge yourself and commit to excellence, you open the door to next-level performance.

Forward Christian Pulisic has been a leader and significant contributor to the U.S. Men’s National Team. Since his transfer from Chelsea to AC Milan, Pulisic has showcased his ability scoring a career-best 13 goals while adding eight assists.

Pulisic, who has already performed at a high level, stated that he has achieved so much success with AC Milan because he has challenged himself to improve his game.

PULISIC: “I’ve actually been surprised with how difficult a lot of the games are in this league. I think it’s been a great test for me… I’ve had a lot of time on the field to show what I can do and have been given a creative role and a lot of freedom as well at times, which has been a huge part of getting that self-belief back and growing that confidence.”

As Pulisic’s example shows, confidence and taking risks lay the foundation for higher, long-term success.

Confidence allows you to create a vision for yourself in the future. What do you want to achieve this season or within the next few years? When you clearly see what you want to achieve, you create a target that focuses your attention and efforts.

Taking risks assists you in taking concerted, pre-planned action. What steps will you take today, next week, or this season to achieve your goal and reach the next level?

Next-level play is within your grasp, but you must take action and reach for it.

Getting to the next level requires that you take an active role in building your confidence. Confidence will not only help you play at your peak in the present but also help you achieve incremental success and motivate you to continue working on your physical, technical, tactical, and mental skills.

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