Log In
Many players come to us with a problem because they feel that for some reason, despite their good football form, they are usually unable to show their full skills in the match.
Most of you describe this problem as a mental blockage that keeps you from showing your real skills in a match.
There can be many reasons for this situation and until we are able to determine the source of the problem in each player individually, we may have a problem to help you, but one of the most common causes of these problems is bad mental preparation.
That is why today we have a few tips for you on this subject, based on the article for website footballlab.pl, developed by the Polish psychologist and mental preparation trainer Karolina Pietrzak.
1. SLEEP WELL
Sleep is just as important as training, says Joe English, running coach, If you constantly skimp on sleep, the quality of your training will decline.
American runner Deena Kastor sleeps more than 10 hours a day, and Ryan Hall, a martial artist on his calendar, marks naptime as a "business meeting". They understand a simple rule: it is during sleep that our body regenerates after training, and this is when you become a better athlete.
Therefore, the day before the competition, take care of the right amount of sleep, which will prepare the body and mind for effort and allow your body to work at top speed. In the evening hours, just like Cristiano Ronaldo, who does not use a mobile phone, computer or TV watching 1.5 hours before going to bed, avoid strong light, including that coming from the computer screen and TV set. Remember to ventilate the bedrooms and take care of the right temperature in them.
2. PLAN THE DAY OF THE GAME
“Planning is bringing the future into the present so that it can be dealt with now,” Alan Lakein.
Make a list of the things you will need to optimally prepare for the match. Plan the day of the competition (meals, meeting, ride to the match, behavior in the dressing room, equipment preparation) and think over your strategy for the match. This will make you sure that you have taken everything you need with you and will allow you to focus your attention on the other elements of the preparation.
“A goal without a proper plan is just a wish” - Antoine de Saint - Exupery
3. CREATE A PRE-MATCH ROUTINE
Probably, while watching the struggles of athletes, you have noticed that players repeat specific behaviors before the start or before performing certain elements of the game. At first glance, it may seem that swinging the stick several times before the actual strike is just random activities that do not make much sense apart from warming up. However, these are consciously planned activities, called the pre-start routine, which help to control emotions, focus attention or adjust yourself properly before the game. They can also help to translate the elements developed during training into a match situation, or increase the sense of security. Routine helps to focus on what's essential and what the athlete can control. The routine subconsciously reminds the player that he has control over what he is doing at the moment. It is important that the pattern is simple enough so that it can always be repeated. Take into account changing conditions, fans, weather. Repetitive activities allow you to manage stress and focus on action. They become the trigger act that says "time to get the job done." Create your own pre-take-off routine to feel fully prepared for the challenges ahead.
4) VISUALIZE THE GAME
“Before the Olympic qualification, I was doing a lot of relaxation exercises and visualization. I guess it helped me feel what I would feel if I were there. I knew that I did everything I could to prepare for this training camp, both physically and mentally "~ Michael Phelps
Play your match in your head. Create a vision of an ideal job, remembering to use positive language. Include your take-off strategy, emotional state, inner speech, attitude, and elements such as the weather, audience, and venue. Imagine your plays and behavior in different parts of the game. Confront in your thoughts also difficult situations that may arise during the match. Solve them in several ways. Think about how you will react when, for example, you lose a goal. This will help you be properly prepared for difficult moments. It is good to introduce mental training into preparation at the beginning of the season, when it is easier to find time for systematic work. Such training will effectively help you increase the level of concentration, self-confidence and control the state of agitation. And this is what Wayne Rooney says about visualization: “I've always imagined a game. I have been using visualization since I started playing soccer. The day before the game, I ask about the outfits, T-shirts, socks we will play in, I imagine our opponents. I imagine the best course of the game - goals, creating good goals and winning. If I can create this positive image of the game, I feel better then, I think it helps me a lot. I use visualization before going to sleep. "
5. REMEMBER YOUR BEST MATCH
By recalling your previous successes, best performances or won matches, we can influence the level of self-confidence, and thus the effectiveness of our actions, so create a list of your greatest successes, successful plays or goals scored!
The second part of this article will be published tomorrow.
If you really want to improve your results, work on this aspect.
Analyze the first 5 points thoroughly today and do the rest tomorrow.
Then the most important thing you need to do is start applying it before the game and adjust these behaviors to be perfect for you!
Write in the comment which of the points is the most valuable for you.
