028 | MAXIMIZING YOUR MENTALITY: TIPS FOR FOOTBALLERS

WHAT DOES PEAK PERFORMANCE LOOK LIKE FOR YOU?

Football is a sport that requires an incredible level of physical fitness and technical ability, and that is a given at the top of the game. Because the margins are so small at that level, the differentiating factor between players often comes down to mental strength - which is ironically the most underdeveloped skill in young athletes. A footballer's capacity to control their mental state through ups and downs can have a remarkable impact on their day-to-day performances and long-term development.

First and foremost, WHY do you play? What are your goals? Where do you see yourself within the game in 5, 10, 15, 20 years? Setting specific and measurable objectives for our future can help us take actionable steps towards them every day and focus on staying consistent in our systems for success, even when we fail or it seems that the end goal is out of sight. We can also create short-term goals during training or competition to maintain our presence. Create a game within the game for yourself. Determine the needs of the team and how you can set individual objectives for yourself that benefit the collective group. (example: a winger sets a goal to dribble with intent to pass the defender in every 1v1 situation they face in a game).

Once you’ve started to implement habits that promote positive growth in your game, staying steady through any adversity starts to become more effortless. But to truly maximize your mentality, you must understand what peak performance is for you. How do you look, feel, talk, and act when you are performing at your peak? How should you look, feel, talk, and act when you are performing at your peak? Visualizing yourself at your best creates an image in your mind that your body will follow.

World-renowned sports psychologist, Dan Abrahams (our guest on FOOTYPOD 047), uses a technique that he calls a ‘game face’ - where his clients will choose two specific adjectives that illustrate what peak performance is to them and an animal that represents the spirit they must embody to be successful in their role. (example: a world-class defender uses ‘dominant, relentless lion’). This ‘game face’ is rehearsed in the player’s mind day in and day out, and reminded of repeatedly through difficult moments in games. “A game face is your competitive persona. It’s an attitudinal guide. It’s a behavioral blueprint. It’s your optimal mental state. It’s a little bit like the late, great Kobe Bryant’s Mamba Mentality, but more powerful because it’s personal.”

As your game develops physically and technically, use this practice to ignite your development psychologically too.