Soccer Superstars: No Problem, Sharpen Your Sword

Let’s face it; superstars get what they want because they have unique talents. They command far more respect, admiration and obscene pay packets. Household names like Messi, Ronaldo, Beckham and Torres are just that, superstars.

When you think of the above players you think “money players”, “match winners”, “franchise players’ and even “clutch players”. These are the players that get paid 10 times the amounts of money than their team mates. Are they worth it?

Branding players match winners has its fair share of pressures. Only if we could handle the pressures and still have the ability to perform. We would all be superstars!

I knew a player when I was young that had the makings and the potential to become a great player. He was built like a truck, his skills were silky smooth and he had pace to burn. He had the record for the 12 minute run and had the highest score in the beep test. When training, practicing by himself or even with friends, you could mistake him for Ronaldo, that’s how good he was. When the stakes were low or there was no pressure, this guy was a superstar even flawless.

You might be wondering who this guy is or if you’ve heard of him? I tell you who this guy was; he was the best player to ever sit on the bench week in, week out. Each time this guy would play in an official match the pressure would destroy him.

At training this guy demanded respect and admiration. But on match day this guy was a liability to the team and the word choker wouldn’t give him enough credit. When the chips were down, they were down for good.

On the other hand, we had a player in the same team that was a good player, far from a superstar, but his work ethic and his ability to play in important games and under pressure were amazing. It seemed with more pressure he would become stronger and move through the ground with greatest of ease and finesse. If you saw this same player at training you would laugh at his trade and even “goofy” playing style.

Before I move on I want to clear something up, “choking”, “crumbling under pressure” or even “coming apart at the scenes” does not make anyone a bad player. These are terms I’ve heard and you’ve probably heard them too because they have been introduced by the media. Media like to dramatize things to sell papers or get ratings. But if you only remember one thing from this post make it this, “a player is never his mistakes”

Every single one of us is bound to make mistakes or become overwhelmed by pressure. Its human nature and this doesn’t only apply to soccer but to life in general. But do we have the ability or the capacity to rise above pressure or even our mistakes? You better believe it!

So what’s the difference between the two players? Is it the skills, strength or fitness? How can one player be so good at training and crumble in matches, while the other is average at training only to become a superstar during match situations? Doesn’t make sense, does it?

The difference between the 2 players is not an inherent quality that one has and the other hasn’t. The difference is how they reacted to pressure and a so called “crisis” situation.

When the game is in the balance, the pressure is intense and a “crisis” situation or play can either make you or break you. If you react properly to these situations, it can give you the added strength, power and wisdom that you do not normally possess. If you react badly to these “crisis” situations, you can easily rob yourself of all your ability, control and any other skills that seemed second nature to you.

So what separates the superstars, match winners, money players and the clutch players from the rest of the soccer population? It’s there ability to perform under the stimulus of pressure and to step up to the plate when the crisis situations arise.

So how do we become a franchise player? How do we become the go to player?

To perform well under pressure we must first learn to practice without pressure. Learn all the necessary skills under a calm and collected atmosphere. Practice, practice, practice. Don’t look at the screen with that stupid face, its true. Conditions must be calm and controlled. How does this help for pressure situations you might ask. Let me give you an example. If you didn’t know how to swim and I threw you into the sea, you would kick and struggle your way to shore. This pressure or crisis will give you the strength to swim somehow, but its never going to make you into a champion swimmer is it?

So remember, practice without pressure to begin with.

When you’re under pressure or in a crisis situation, what’s the first thing you do? Don’t be ashamed you’re not a coward. Most players go into a defensive mode. Next time the game is on the line and the pressure is unbearable, react to this situation with an aggressive, not a defensive attitude. Get out there and win the game, make the necessary mistakes, break the necessary legs and contribute to your team.

Aggressive not defensive!

Also have the ability to evaluate the situation and to put things in perspective. Don’t turn a pressure situation or a top of the table clash into a crisis, avoid making mountains out of small pebbles or reacting to the game likes it’s a life or death situation.

Perspective, it’s not a matter of life or death is it?

After all is said and done, can you make yourself into your teams franchise player or the go to player? Being the money player is very doable because its dependant on a relatively short list of attitudes and skills.

It’s my belief that no one lacks what it takes to be a clutch player. If in doubt remember this, practice, aggression and perspective. If you make these 3 things work to your advantage, next big derby or top of the league clash you’ll be sharpening your sword in the dressing room waiting for battle with a big smile on your face while the others shake in their boots.