5 mental hacks to beat nervousness 🥵 in football

Summary

This video discusses overcoming nervousness in sports, particularly in matches, by building mental resilience and boosting confidence. The speaker shares personal tips on handling pressure, such as treating matches as learning experiences, creating a positive mindset, and maintaining confidence even after mistakes. Strategies include focusing on small wins, turning negatives into positives, and working harder when things don't go as planned. Ultimately, the message is to enjoy the game, stay mentally strong, and always keep pushing forward.

Takeaways

• 😀 It's normal to feel nervous before matches, especially when younger, but it can negatively impact performance.
• 🏃‍♂️ Treat matches as learning experiences rather than high-pressure events, like training for future matches or seasons.
• 🧠 Confidence plays a key role in overcoming nervousness and playing freely, reducing the impact of mistakes.
• 🎵 Boost confidence with positive routines like entering the locker room smiling, listening to music, and creating a good vibe.
• 💪 Don’t show your nerves to your opponents, as they may use it to gain a mental advantage over you.
• 🔄 Turn negatives into positives—use mistakes as opportunities to surprise your opponents or believe you’ve ‘gotten them out of your system’.
• 🏅 If mistakes pile up, use the '33 system' by focusing on winning the next three easy challenges to regain confidence.
• 🤝 If you're having a bad day, don't sulk or quit; instead, work even harder, which may earn the respect of your teammates.
• 💡 Focus on tricking your mind into forgetting nervousness and self-doubt by focusing on the fun and positive aspects of the game.
• 👟 Lastly, if confidence comes from gear or other external factors, embrace it, but remember to keep playing for the love of the game.

Q & A

What is the main issue the speaker addresses in the video?

The speaker discusses how nervousness can negatively affect performance during matches, even when the player performs well in training.

How does the speaker suggest changing the mindset towards matches?

The speaker suggests treating matches like training sessions, viewing them as opportunities to learn and improve for future games, rather than being overwhelmed by their importance.

Why does nervousness affect performance more during matches than training?

The speaker explains that in matches, there’s more at stake, and players may become afraid to make mistakes, which causes their brain to freeze and affects their performance.

What role does confidence play in overcoming nervousness, according to the speaker?

Confidence helps players play more freely and reduces the likelihood of being affected by mistakes. Feeling confident allows players to stay focused and less nervous.

What strategies does the speaker recommend for boosting self-confidence before a match?

The speaker recommends creating a positive vibe by interacting with teammates, playing music, walking into the locker room confidently, and maintaining a positive attitude to boost self-confidence.

What should a player do if they feel nervous or make mistakes during the match?

The player should act like they don’t care about the mistakes, giving no signs of nervousness to the opponent. This way, they don’t lose the mental upper hand, and the opponent won't be able to exploit their nervousness.

What is the '33 system' the speaker uses to regain confidence after making mistakes?

The '33 system' involves focusing on achieving three easy wins, like completing three successful passes or winning three headers, to regain confidence after making three consecutive mistakes.

When should a player stop using the '33 system'?

A player should stop focusing on easy wins with the '33 system' once their confidence is restored, then shift their focus back to making a meaningful impact in the game.

What should a player do when they are having a particularly bad day on the pitch?

Instead of sulking or giving up, the player should work harder than anyone else to compensate for their poor performance. This effort will earn respect from teammates and keep the momentum positive.

What is the overall message the speaker wants to convey to players feeling nervous in matches?

The speaker emphasizes the importance of tricking your mind to overcome nervousness, staying positive, working hard, and remembering that football is a game to be enjoyed.