This article is for players rather than coaches but any good coach needs to be aware of the psychology of football and how it affects ALL players at EVERY level!!

This is a piece about the type of player and individual that any coach should want in their team!
 

As a player, if you recognise any of yourself in the traits below then ask yourself how you can turn a positive into a negative or can bring positive attributes to your club.
 

I believe a lot of teams have enough technical ability to “succeed” but mentally they have a long way to go and this is something you, as a player, should, just like fitness and technical skills, attempt to address and improve yourselves.
 

You have to be honest with yourself, as hiding/denying the failures means you will NEVER improve them yourself!
 

Players, at all levels, including grassroots, are constantly challenged by scenarios in training or matches that require a wide range of mental strengths and qualities.
 

These situations are “everyday” situations but are vital, examples include:

- marking at corners

- taking a penalty

- trying a shot from distance or the defence splitting pass

- missing an “easy” chance,

- defending or attacking 1 v 1

- training on a cold, wet and miserable night

- communication with your team mates

- being substituted

- playing a first match

- meeting new team mates

- playing in front of “strangers” or a big crowd!
 

All players need a wide range of mental strengths and qualities to cope successfully with some of the scenarios just shown, these include aspects such as:

• Having a positive attitude.

• Belief in your own ability (if you don’t believe it, your team mates and coach certainly won’t!)

• Commitment to the common cause

• Determination and perseverance

• Desire and bravery

• Concentration and focus

• Aggressiveness, assertiveness

• Persistence and bloody minded

• Composure and calmness

• Being tough-minded and focused

• Confidence and self-assurance or even arrogance.

•Leadership qualities

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NOW LETS LOOK AT -

Positive examples of Mental Strengths and Qualities (“good things on the pitch”)

AGAINST

Negative examples of Mental Strengths and Qualities (“bad things on the pitch”)
 

CONFIDENCE (the first “C”)

POSITIVE SIGNS

-Encouraging communication with team mates.

-Being positive in attacking an opponent in a 1 v 1 situation. Not “passing the buck”!

-Wanting the ball from team mates.

-Doesn't let mistakes effect their desire to keep wanting to play

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NEGATIVE SIGNS

-Won't take risks, passes instead of shooting.

-Doesn't want the ball. Plays on the fringes, not involved in the heart of the game.

-Poor communication skills

 

COMMITMENT

GOOD

-Shows a real desire to be first to the ball.

-First to arrive at training

-Demonstrates physical bravery. Is a real trier who puts in lots of effort and works hard, both in matches and training.

-Shows lots enthusiasm. Is a team player

BAD

-Rarely trains.

-Is often late.

-Demonstrates a lack of effort in training and matches.

-Rarely shows bravery.

-Does the minimum amount of work.

-Lacks enthusiasm, it's all a big effort.

-Poor body language.

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CONCENTRATION (“C“ number 3)

GOOD EXAMPLES

-Switches on and concentrates at set pieces and when the ball goes out of play.

-Keeps focus even after a poor pass or a mistake.

-Doesn't become involved with spectators or the opposition.

-Doesn't let off field “activity” (distractions) affect them.

-Is aware of what is around them on the pitch

BAD EXAMPLES

-Easily distracted by pitch or ground conditions.

-Switches off when the ball isn't near them.

-Allows opponents to wind them up and affect them.

-Loses focus after making a mistake.

-Ball watches.

-Blames everyone else

 

COMPOSURE (The final “C”)

GOOD

-Doesn't get overly emotional with team mates or the opposition.

-Controls temper after being fouled.

-Calm and composed on the ball.

-Communication is positive, enthusiastic and calm.

-Keeps calm with officials, accepts decisions in the “right” way

BAD

-Demonstrates anger after a poor pass or shot.

-Irritable and argumentative with team mates, the opposition and officials.

-Tendency to dive in and commit silly fouls.

-Gets over excited in key areas - like shooting

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Sports Psychologyis a fast growing field for both professional and recreational athletes.

There is an increasing interest in both the research and practice of Sports Psychology and the majority of professional athletes will come across techniques during their career, but awareness of this can also assist the role of the Grassroots Football Coach!

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There is a huge scope for Sports Psychology to be introduced effectively in all grassroots sport, with an array of simple techniques, coaches and teachers can use to get the best from their players.
 

Contrary to the view of many “qualified” coaches, there are THREE MAIN FACTORS that influence sports performance;

* technical ability

* fitness

* mental skills

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Sport psychology focuses on mental skills and is defined as the promotion, explanation, maintenance, and enhancement of sport related behaviour.
 

In layman’s terms if a hugely talented technician “can’t be bothered” then, all the talent in the world won’t make this a great team, or individual, player!

The majority of professional football teams employ a specialist Sports Psychologist to work with their players on both an individual and group basis.
 

But at grassroots level the Manager/Coach is expected to act as many things including Sports Pyschologist, and players will be encouraged to work with them on a one-to-one basis on anything that may be affecting their performance.

 

”One size does not fit all” when it comes to “player management”!

Some players need a carrot and some a stick - get it the wrong way round at your peril!

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Reason for players’ sports participation (this needs to create the motivation to play) need to be considered by every Manager/Coach, the main ones are:-

• Players love the game

• Players may enjoy watching football, support a team, and want to be involved in a game they love.

• Fitness (i.e. it’s infinitely more appealing to keep-fit doing something you enjoy, and this is a huge motivation for players)

• Skill development (training and playing will enable players to develop their skills therefore improving their performance helping positive self-esteem).

• Affiliation/being part of a group (football is also a social experience, so being affiliated to a group of peers is a positive experience)

• To maintain health (a huge emphasis is placed on maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and regular exercise is an important aspect of this)

• Leisure activity (playing sport is an enjoyable social activity and a positive way to spend leisure time).

• To compete/success and status (everyone enjoys being recognised for their accomplishments, whether individually, or as part of a successful team.)

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There is also a sense of excitement in competitive sport.

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So, there is a long winded explanation of how important the psychological side of football is, especially to coaches and Managers, at EVERY level of the game!

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To illustrate this I will make two statements below (at the end) that both relate to the importance of psychology in football!

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The two psychology statements

Firstly, in my opinion (so, not a fact!) Lionel Messi is a better player than Cristiano Ronaldo based on one factor mainly - his mental strength!

He is a team player who uses his wonderful technique to the benefit of 10 team mates and makes brave, team focused decisions - to be honest Ronaldo can do everything technically that Messi can do, and more, BUT Messi aims to lead by example (an example many team mates, mere mortals, often cannot achieve!)

And what is the effect on him and his team mates when they “under achieve” against his high standards!)
 

Secondly, look at the recent Man Utd record

They underachieved under Jose Mourinho, but saw a big lift INITIALLY under Solskjaer - with the same group of players - yet many went back to their “old ways” in the next few weeks! Then they improved again!!

I believe this is down to nothing more than mental attitude of the players (they never not lost those technical skills, their fitness or anything else in the “bad times”!!)
 

(C) Tim

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