Mentality – Tips & Advice

Below are important tips to help you become mentally stronger. Read and consider how you can implement the tips to see an immediate benefit on and off the field.

1. Learn The Dark Arts (very important)

• The dark arts, as they are known, are ways to gain an advantage in the game
• A tactical foul; intentionally fouling someone when they are in a promising attacking position or your team are under extreme pressure (note that you do not foul them to try and hurt them, simply to stop the game and slow down their attack). A counter attack when your team are outnumbered and might concede a goal is a good time for a tactical foul
• Pulling someone’s jersey or shirt is part of the dark arts. If you make it too obvious, you’ll be called for a foul but if you are cunning with your use of jersey pulling (or shorts), you can gain an advantage on your opponent without committing a foul
• When you have a throw-in or free kick, take it further up the field to get an advantage. Rarely will you be called for taking a throw-in forward 5 yards or for taking the ball forward a few yards on a free kick. If the referee or assistant referee tells you to move the ball back, respect them and comply
• If someone makes clear contact with you inside the penalty area, going down is not diving or flopping (unless you a theatrical about it and that’s unnecessary). For example, if an opponent makes clear contact with you and a penalty is possible and there is not an opportunity for you to shoot immediately, go down and claim the foul. This is NOT cheating, it is an understood and accepted part of the game

2. Positive Self-Talk 

• Develop a habit of positive self-talk and positive thoughts about yourself and your game
• Regularly remind yourself of your strengths, past successes and all the progress you’ve made
• Accept that you will make mistakes and have games where you might not be at your best but remind yourself that 100% effort and the right attitude will ensure you are as close to your best as often as possible

3. Body Language Is So Important

• Whether you are winning or losing, in training or games, make sure you always show positive body language
• Coaches and others are always watching you, even when you think they might not be, so it is vital to show that you are focused, engaged and ready
• Positive body language (looking confident and happy) actually makes you feel better inside, so the more confident and happy you look, the more confident and happy you’ll feel!

4. Be Brave & Willing To Make Mistakes

• Bravery is crucial to your development. Show for the ball and communicate that you want it all the time (when appropriate of course) as this will help massively with your development
• You need to touch the ball and make decisions to improve. The only want to do that is to show for and demand the ball. Be prepared to do this in training and make mistakes; that’s how you learn and improve
• immediately after you’ve made a mistake or lost the ball, that’s when you need to show for it and ask for it again. That’s bravery. It will set you apart from many players who are not prepared to risk making more mistakes. Make mistakes and keep learning from them!

Work on becoming a MENTAL WARRIOR and see what a huge difference it makes both on AND off the field!