Mental Training for Soccer

It is important to have a fine-tuned body to succeed in soccer, but it is equally important to have a sharp mind. Soccer players need to be balanced and focused. They should be able to manage stress, visualize the outcome, then execute the game plan. Staying mentally prepared is essential for a successful soccer season.

  1. Focus Training

    • Losing focus or being nervous on the field is a common problem for soccer players. Players who lose control of the ball, run out of energy quickly or miss shots are often victims of loss of focus. It is important for players to practice maintaining focus by following some general tips. Players should practice making mental game plans. For example, they need to think about what they would do in certain situations. When the situation happens the player will know what to do. Players should also always think positively. If a mistake is made, players should be taught to forget about it and maintain their confidence and call for the ball again.

    Mental Toughness

    • One of the main lessons to learn about soccer and mental toughness is that soccer is a team sport and no individual is responsible for the team. Mistakes happen in the game and it’s important to learn from them. Mental toughness is about learning to take constructive criticism and working toward improvement without losing confidence in your ability. Mental toughness is also about being prepared. It’s about being emotionally healthy and physically conditioned. Sport psychologist Jim Loehr best outlines mental toughness as “the ability to consistently perform toward the upper range of your talent and skill regardless of competitive circumstances.”

    Stress Management

    • Stress is a large factor weighing on the mental heath of soccer players. Players must often cope with soccer as well as school, family, friends and jobs. Lessons in time management often help players learn to organize their time and priorities and help to reduce the pressure trying to get everything done at once. Massage therapy is another way to reduce stress. It helps relieve muscle tension in the body. Players who receive regular treatments are also less likely to have injuries and physical symptoms that result from stress and anxiety, according to LoveToKnow.com.

    Visualization

    • Visualization is an essential technique for players to use when preparing for a soccer game, season or practice. Players need to think about the goals they want to achieve, how they may achieve them, then to visualize success. To visualize a game, players should take time to picture in their minds how the game, and situations, may play out. Then the player will visualize how he will react in the game and how he will reach his goal. Visualization creates a mental map or instruction manual for the player to draw from during the game.

    Yoga and Soccer

    • Yoga loosens muscle pressure and tension in the body and relieves stress on joints. This increases a player’s physical health and ability to perform. If the player is performing well, this also decreases mental stress levels because the player is not focused on his game’s shortcomings. Yoga exercises both the body and the mind through a variety of breathing, posture, meditative and stretching exercises.