35 Ways Mental Toughness Coaching Can Help Footballers

Footballers

Soccer Psychology Tips: 35 Ways Mental Toughness Coaching Can Help Footballers

How important is the psychological side to you?

I’ve supported 100s of footballers from youngsters who enjoy the great game up to well established professional footballers.  From my experiences and taking into consideration research I’ve read I’ve put this post together.

Very importantly, by reading the post you are taking the first step to improving your mental approach as it will help improve your self-awareness.

I’d also encourage you to print the page off or write down on a piece of paper if any of these signs reflect your performances.  If you do come across some feel free to pick up the phone or contact me about some mental game coaching, it is very likely I can help you.

  • You do not have well-defined goals or goal specificity.
  • You lack direction.
  • You perform better in training than during matches.
  • You are so self-conscious; you worry about what others think about you and your game.
  • You maintain many self-doubts about your performance before, during and after matches.
  • You worry about letting others down by not performing up to others expectations.
  • You are too self-conscious and worried about how others may perceive you.
  • You suffer from anxiety, worry, or excess tension when in matches.
  • Pre-game nerves do not go away after the first few minutes of a match.
  • You are motivated by fear of failure and it affects the way you play football in matches.
  • You have a fear of success and sabotage yourself when you are doing well
  • You are not sure why you play football.
  • You are motivated by external rewards, recognition, or praise.
  • You attach your self-worth to how well you play football.
  • You lose focus or have mental lapses during critical times during matches.
  • Your routines are not well defined or lack mental focus.
  • You go through the motions physically without mental focus or intensity.
  • You are not excited enough or are too excited to perform your best in critical moments.
  • You are distracted by things that go on around you in your environment.
  • You have doubts or negative thoughts before, during, or after matches.
  • After injuries you cannot perform the way you did before even when 100% physically recovered.
  • When performing well you sabotage your performance with a comfort zone where your energy levels and mental focus drops.
  • You become easily frustrated because of high expectations.
  • You cannot perform with freedom or trust in times of adversity or pressure.
  • You work on your technique even when playing in matches.
  • You do not concentrate in the here and now or focus only on execution.
  • You think of too much about consequences of your performance, good or bad.
  • You over analyze mistakes and go on to think too much about technique.
  • You suffer from low self-confidence or self-esteem.
  • You limit your performance with negative self-labels such as “I am rubbish or he/she is a much better player.”
  • You have trouble forgetting or letting go of bad past performances.
  • You let criticism from coaches, team-mates and fans affect you off the pitch.
  • You struggle to bounce back quickly from errors that you make.
  • You play within yourself, with a sense of fear.
  • You do not like voicing your opinions to your team-mates.
  • Your relationship with your coach is holding you back.

Can you identify with any of the above statements?

If so, well done.  This is the first, and a very important step in improving your mental skills to aid your performance.

If you found this article helpful, please share it with your friends, team-mates, parents or other coaches.  You can also sign up to “The Mental Edge” for regular Football or Soccer Psychology tips, podcasts and support.

David Charlton

Best Wishes 

David Charlton

Global Soccer Psychologist who is located near Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK and willing to travel Internationally.  David also uses online video conferencing software (Zoom, Facetime, WhatsApp) on a regular basis and has clients who he has supported in USA, Canada, South America, UAE, Australian and New Zealand.

Managing Director – Inspiring Sporting Excellence and Founder of The Sports Psychology Hub.  With over 10 years experience supporting athletes, coaches, parents and teams to achieve their goals, quickly.   

T: +44 7734 697769

E: [email protected]

How to Help Sports Coaches Navigate Anxiety

How to Help Sports Coaches Navigate Anxiety By working with David Charlton, you and your organisation will be better equipped to rise to modern day challenges and better informed to thrive on and off the pitch, course or court.  Where he inspires individuals and teams to: Cope with pressure and challenges more effectively Maintain positive mental

Read More »

How to Help Sports Coaches Cope With Pressure and Stress Better

How to Help Sports Coaches Cope With Pressure and Stress Better By working with David Charlton, you and your organisation will be better equipped to rise to modern day challenges and better informed to thrive on and off the pitch, course or court.  Where he inspires individuals and teams to: Cope with pressure and challenges more

Read More »

How to Help Sports Coaches Self Regulate Their Emotions

How to Help Sports Coaches Self Regulate Their Emotions By working with David Charlton, you and your organisation will be better equipped to rise to modern day challenges and better informed to thrive on and off the pitch, course or court.  Where he inspires individuals and teams to: Cope with pressure and challenges more effectively Maintain

Read More »

How to Enhance Focus, Motivation and Confidence

How to Enhance Focus, Motivation and Confidence By working with David Charlton, you and your organisation will be better equipped to rise to modern day challenges and better informed to thrive on and off the pitch, course or court.  Where he inspires individuals and teams to: Cope with pressure and challenges more effectively Maintain positive mental

Read More »

30 Further Ideas to Aid Your Performance and Psychological Well-Being

30 Further Ideas to Aid Your Performance and Psychological Well-Being By working with David Charlton, you and your organisation will be better equipped to rise to modern day challenges and better informed to thrive on and off the pitch, course or court.  Where he inspires individuals and teams to: Cope with pressure and challenges more effectively

Read More »

Search Our Sports Psychology Website

Popular Categories

Mental Edge Newsletter

Are you an athlete, coach or parent that would like to learn how to create sustainable high performance? Receive our free regular newsletter, where we share proven mental toughness and high performance tips and strategies. If you want some support and motivation straight to your inbox, then sign up below.

    We won't send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time.