What is your biggest motivator as a soccer player?
Do you prioritize personal goals or team goals? If your team consists of 28 players chasing their individual goals with little interest in the team’s overall objectives, your team will underperform, both individually and collectively.
Imagine a soccer team where players prioritize their personal ambitions over team goals, such as scoring goals or individual statistics.
Play on the field would be disjointed. Players would take ill-advised shots instead of looking for an open teammate, try to make flashy plays or dribble the length of the field to showcase their talents.
As a result, communication suffers and emotions between teammates would run high. The anger and frustration between teammates would cause players to lose focus, erode trust among teammates, and interfere with peak play among all team members.
Teamwork, communication, and coordination of efforts are essential to secure wins, accomplish team objectives, and, in the process, foster individual performance.
A team goal allows teams to function optimally, cohesively, and grow together.
How to Maximize Team Performance
- Set team goals first. Once a team goal is defined, you can set individual goals that align with the ultimate team objective.
- Understand your role and what is expected of you. Well-defined roles help players pull in the same direction.
- Find ways to perform your role the best you can. Maximizing your skills not only helps the team but also takes your game to the next level.
- Rally around the team goal to fuel motivation throughout the season. Using a team mantra, cue word on team apparel, or a symbol can be a constant reminder of the team’s ultimate goal.
The University of Vermont men’s soccer team has been on the cusp of winning the College Cup for the last three seasons.
The 2024 Vermont team moved one-step closer to their national title goal by beating No. 2-seeded Pittsburgh 2-0 in the quarterfinal round and advancing to the semifinals for the first time in program history.
Vermont fifth-year senior defender Zach Barrett commented on each player’s commitment to the team goal.
BARRETT: “The will to win. No matter what we need to do, it doesn’t really matter who we are playing; it’s more about what we do. We work on it every day in practice.”
Vermont coach Rob Dow talked about the team’s focus and how they have fueled their motivation and efforts during the season.
DOW: “One of our players made a replica of the national championship trophy and brings it with us on the road. That’s what our eyes are set on and it’s been a vision of ours. We’ve talked about it since January.”
Team success requires focusing on a clear and shared vision. When every team member understands and is inspired by a common goal, they are more motivated to contribute their best efforts.
To maximize team success, consistently reinforce the ultimate team goal during team meetings, practices, and team-building exercises. Create a symbol or motto that constantly reminds each player of the team’s overall objective.
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