However, how many times do you see footballers in these situations fail to execute as they would hope.  Where their normal timing goes out of the window, where they “think too much”, where they over-analyse or concentrate on the wrong things?

How can we help them?

One approach is to improve your self-awareness by considering what composure actually is in football or soccer.

Here are two examples:

1. Take the penalty taker, who has an opportunity to win the game in the last minute.  With the opponents clearly aggrieved as the referee awarded a very soft and contentious penalty.  Composure is then the ability to think calmly and clearly putting the outside noise, verbals and distractions to one side.
2. Perhaps you’re the centre forward who has played poorly for 80 minutes, failed to get into the game, and when you have had opportunities to score you haven’t taken them.  Yet the game is still in the balance with 10 minutes remaining.  In this situation, composure is the ability to react calmly when your chance comes, maintaining a bigger picture perspective about your missed chances.

What other things do we notice about football or soccer players who play with composure?

Psychological

• Patience is a skill that composed footballers have when things go wrong.
• A challenge mindset is in the make up of a composed footballer, who will not catastrophize situations possessing a “can do” attitude.
• The composed footballer has a way of getting the job done and doesn’t worry about how.
• Mistakes are accepted as part of the game and this player is quick to regroup and refocus.
• Remaining neutral, not letting their emotions run away with them is part of the make up of a composed footballer.
• You’ll find the calm composed footballer often finishes matches strongly.
• Many composed footballers can be trusted my managers and coaches rarely performing less than a 7/10.

Physically:

• In their eyes you may see a look of focus and concentration.
• The composed footballers body language is often positive, where their head is up, chest is out and shoulders are back.
• Their body is relaxed, with little tension in their core or legs aiding their first touch.
• Footballers who play with composure often walk or run with look of confidence and to some people, arrogance.
• Time often slows down for the composed football or soccer player.  Where they make complex skills very simple despite pressure.
• When opponents try to get the better of the composed footballer they are unruffled, you may see them response with a quite stare or smile.
• Their physical presence and psychological prowess can intimidate some opponents.

As well as simply being aware of these characteristics, if you’re a player who struggles with specific aspects that I’ve detailed above I’d recommend you try imagery.

For instance, if we look at the physical side, why not be very professional about your mental approach before your next match and don’t simply leave things to chance.  Every night, for a one week ahead of your next match, spend 10 minutes lying on your bed before you go to sleep.  With your eyes closed, imagining that you have your boots and kit on, playing the match in your head whilst seeing yourself with that steely look of focus and concentration.  With positive body language.  With a relaxed feel in your body and so on…

Imagery is a great way for footballers to improve their mental game especially if you make the movie in your head as real as possible bringing in all of your senses to the fore.  With vivid images of yourself and others, sounds that you hear on the pitch and the feel of your body as it moves.

You may also want to explore the following to aid your composure and decision making by:

Listening to this week’s Demystifying Mental Toughness Podcast! Despite it focusing on golf and is not football or soccer specific it is relevant for all sports.   Where Dr Brian Hemmings shares with you a very helpful and solution-based approach that can make sure that you don’t fall into this trap of indecision, lack of trust or overthinking when he talks about quiet eye training.