{"id":15470,"date":"2021-05-23T12:03:36","date_gmt":"2021-05-23T19:03:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/traceup.com\/?p=15470"},"modified":"2023-06-22T12:42:53","modified_gmt":"2023-06-22T19:42:53","slug":"5-strategies-for-building-a-winning-mindset-on-the-soccer-field","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/traceup.com\/5-strategies-for-building-a-winning-mindset-on-the-soccer-field","title":{"rendered":"5 Strategies For Building a Winning Mindset on the Soccer Field"},"content":{"rendered":"<div style=\"margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;\" class=\"sharethis-inline-share-buttons\" ><\/div>\n<p>In soccer, the psychological strength of players is key to winning games and continuing improvement. Mental fitness is an often overlooked part of coaching, and many players are not aware of how big an impact their mindset has on their performance.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Soccer can be stressful for a variety of reasons. Your team might be on a losing streak. Maybe you made some mistakes or received some tough feedback from a coach. Perhaps you\u2019re thinking about college soccer and worried about recruiters watching you play. Any of these things can cause anxiety, which could cause players to lose focus and hurt performance. A good mindset could be the difference between winning and losing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"#trace\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"167\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/traceup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Banner_Stats.png?resize=640%2C167&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Banner to book a demo with Trace\" class=\"wp-image-28530\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/traceup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Banner_Stats.png?resize=1400%2C365&amp;ssl=1 1400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/traceup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Banner_Stats.png?resize=300%2C78&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/traceup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Banner_Stats.png?resize=768%2C200&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/traceup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Banner_Stats.png?resize=1536%2C400&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/traceup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Banner_Stats.png?resize=1200%2C313&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/traceup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Banner_Stats.png?resize=600%2C156&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/traceup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Banner_Stats.png?w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/traceup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Banner_Stats.png?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tips for Building a Winning Mentality on the Soccer Pitch<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Adopt a Growth Mindset<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As players seek to improve, there will inevitably be setbacks. The key difference between great players and mediocre players is how athletes deal with those setbacks. USMNT Coach Gregg Berhalter is a huge proponent of this growth mindset and what he calls \u201cpositive coaching.\u201d His goal is to create the right environment by empowering players, listening to players, and using positive language. The key to adopting a growth mindset is understanding that you as an athlete have the power to improve, versus having a fixed mindset and believing that you will never catch up to your teammates because they have natural abilities that make them better. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-1 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/JA7G7AV-LT8\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen=\"\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>In this iconic Michael Jordan ad, he states: \u201cI failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.\u201d&nbsp; This is a prime example of a growth mindset.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Use Positive Self-Talk<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>One thing nearly every struggles with is confidence on the soccer pitch.<strong> <\/strong>Self-confidence is something you can change. And the easiest way to change your confidence level is to change the way you talk to yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Athletes who have positive inner dialogue are able to increase their motivation, control emotions better, and engage in better self-reflection, which helps them get better faster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Avoid negative words like, \u201cI can\u2019t beat this team\u201d, \u201cI should be playing better\u201d, \u201cI have to score during this game.\u201d These words increase anxiety, and they make playing soccer more like a chore than something you should enjoy doing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Use positive phrases such as, \u201cI\u2019ve prepared for this match\u201d, \u201cI\u2019m grateful for my coaches and teammates\u201d, \u201cI\u2019m choosing to be present on the field\u201d, \u201cI believe I can score during this game\u201d, and \u201cThis game is another opportunity to learn and improve\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Visualize Yourself Before the Match<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Take some time to visualize yourself before your matches. Run through scenarios that you might find yourself in, whether that\u2019s beating someone 1-on-1 or scoring an important goal if you\u2019re an offensive player. Don\u2019t do this half-heartedly. You should visualize every aspect of the game, from the smell of the grass on the pitch to the feel of your jersey on your skin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This visualization is basically a way to rehearse and control your mindset. This is a common practice among Olympic athletes, but it can just as easily be used by youth soccer players. Bob Bowman, the coach of Michael Phelps, would have Phelps watch a \u201cmental videotape\u201d of his races before falling asleep and when he woke up, believing these visualizations helped to develop helpful mental triggers and habits that would become second nature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"#trace\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"167\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/traceup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Banner_Stats.png?resize=640%2C167&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Banner to book a demo with Trace\" class=\"wp-image-28530\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/traceup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Banner_Stats.png?resize=1400%2C365&amp;ssl=1 1400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/traceup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Banner_Stats.png?resize=300%2C78&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/traceup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Banner_Stats.png?resize=768%2C200&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/traceup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Banner_Stats.png?resize=1536%2C400&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/traceup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Banner_Stats.png?resize=1200%2C313&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/traceup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Banner_Stats.png?resize=600%2C156&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/traceup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Banner_Stats.png?w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/traceup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Banner_Stats.png?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Accept That Jitters and Some Anxiety Are Normal<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Before a soccer match, even the most well-prepared players will have some nervous energy. This is a natural process. Your body is producing adrenaline because you are entering a competition. This might mean you feel some tension, have a tight jaw, or even become a bit more aggressive than usual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The wrong thing to do is to dwell on this anxiety. This will only distract you from warming up, stretching, and mentally preparing. The best way to keep yourself in the right mindset is to focus on your breathing. Here are a few ways to cope with anxiety before a match: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Practice Relaxation Techniques<\/strong>: Deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and meditation are all relaxation techniques that can help calm your nerves and reduce anxiety. Before a game, take a few moments to sit quietly and practice these techniques.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Focus on the Present Moment<\/strong>: Anxiety often arises from worrying about the future. Instead, try to focus on the present moment and the task at hand. Stay in the moment and focus on the things you can control, such as your technique, positioning, and movements on the field.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Listen to Music:<\/strong> Listening to music can be an effective way to calm your nerves before a game. Choose music that makes you feel energized and motivated, and listen to it before the game to help get into the right mindset.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Talk to Someone:<\/strong> Sometimes talking to someone can help reduce anxiety. Talk to a coach, teammate, or friend who understands what you are going through and can offer words of encouragement and support.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Set Goals to Achieve Your Desired Outcome<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Goal setting is an essential part of mental training for soccer players. Setting specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals can help players stay focused and motivated. Players should set both short-term and long-term goals and track their progress regularly. This technique can help players stay committed, maintain focus, and achieve their desired outcomes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Get Your First Touch As Soon As Possible<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The sooner you get your first touch in a soccer match, the sooner you\u2019ll realize that all your practice has made playing soccer second nature. Jitters will likely fall away. The more you actively involve yourself in the game, the more chances you have to demonstrate your abilities and the less mental bandwidth you\u2019ll be able to dedicate to anxiety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019ve ever watched any professional sport, you\u2019ll know that even the top athletes can get tight at the beginning of matches. Everyone faces some level of tension when performing in front of an audience, but the sooner they get into the rhythm of playing, the sooner they can hit peak performance.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Watch Our Recent Workshop: <br><em>How to Strengthen Mindset to Elevate Soccer Skills<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/c72n4xtowSE\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen=\"\"><\/iframe>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-text-color\" id=\"trace\">trace<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-text-color\" id=\"trace\"><br>trace<\/p>\n\n\n\n\r\n<script>\r\n$( document ).ready(function() {\r\n var referred_by = ;\r\n\r\n\r\n});\r\n<\/script>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"cta\">\r\n<h2>See how Trace works<\/h2>\r\n<p align=\"left\">Want to learn even more? Submit the form below to receive a video demo with more on how Trace works, success stories, and steps to start Tracing.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<script charset=\"utf-8\" type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"\/\/js.hsforms.net\/forms\/v2.js\"><\/script>\r\n<script>\r\n  hbspt.forms.create({\r\n    region: \"na1\",\r\n    portalId: \"5755374\",\r\n    formId: \"8f226c3d-d0e8-4fb0-942c-1cd2e70fef9f\",\r\n    version: \"V2_PRERELEASE\",\r\n    onFormSubmit: function($form) {\r\n        $('input[name=\"referred_by\"]', $form).val(referred_by);\r\n      }\r\n  });\r\n<\/script>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"clear\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Tips for staying mentally fit on the soccer field to reduce anxiety and improve performance.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":155722381,"featured_media":27926,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"content-type":"","footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[703414749,703414511],"tags":[],"table_tags":[],"class_list":["post-15470","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-player","category-player-development"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/traceup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/mental-toughness-soccer.jpg?fit=5472%2C3648&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/traceup.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15470","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/traceup.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/traceup.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/traceup.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/155722381"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/traceup.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15470"}],"version-history":[{"count":22,"href":"https:\/\/traceup.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15470\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":33590,"href":"https:\/\/traceup.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15470\/revisions\/33590"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/traceup.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/27926"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/traceup.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15470"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/traceup.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15470"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/traceup.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15470"},{"taxonomy":"table_tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/traceup.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/table_tags?post=15470"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}