What separates the top 1% -Soccer Champions- from the many in soccer?
Why do some children rise to the occasion while others crumble under pressure?
What makes some kids obsessed with improving while others give up too easily?
Why do certain kids bounce back stronger after failure while others lose confidence?
What’s the secret behind those who always find a way to win?
Mentality!
Your mental game.
The game that is played between your ears.
The little whispers…
The quiet, almost hidden voice. The one that nudges you to push harder, stay locked in and refuse to quit.
For all those youngsters that have been gifted physical prowess, I’m sorry! It’s not enough.
Physical ability alone rarely translates into a superior player.
“It’s not the will to win, but the will to prepare to win that makes the difference”- Jurgen Klopp
The Silent Force that Defines Soccer Champions
The secret to soccer success is not your innate athleticism or technical skills- it’s your mind.
Top soccer players are often portrayed, especially in the media, by their unique gifts.
“The Magician- Vision & Creativity” Players with exceptional playmaking ability are portrayed as having supernatural vision.
“The Speed Demon- Pace” Impossible to catch, striking fear into defenses with lightning pace.
“The Powerhouse- Strength & Physicality” Players labelled freaks of nature or machines with their insane athleticism and strength.
“The Artist- Flair & Skill” Players with exceptional dribbling and technical ability.
What’s the common lie or thread in all the hype?
It’s always about what they were born with…
Their speed, strength, vision or flair.
The media loves to make it seem like these players were destined for greatness since birth.
Talent isn’t Enough
But here’s what they don’t tell you.
Talent alone has never been enough!
For every naturally gifted soccer player who made it, there are thousands who didn’t because they lacked the one thing that truly defines champions.
Mentality!
Behind the scenes…
Their mindset and work ethic have enhanced their natural abilities.
If you aspire to become a soccer champion, don’t be awed or seduced by the glitter of the media.
Instead, know that they put in thousands of hours of work to build up their bodies and shape their minds.
“Mind is everything. Muscle, just pieces of rubber. All that I am, I am because of my mind”- Paavo Nurmi
All soccer kids can develop the mental focus and discipline needed to succeed and improve performances.
The mental abilities of confidence, concentration, composure are crucial for becoming a soccer champion.
Behind the Scenes
Unlike your physical abilities, which stay relatively consistent, give or take 5% each way, your mental game is a different beast. One moment, you’re on fire- unstoppable.
The next…
Doubt creeps in.
Pressure mounts.
…and suddenly, the shit hits the fan.
That’s because your mind isn’t just reacting to the game.
It’s battling the weight of expectations, fear of failure and the chaos of the moment. Not to mention Dad looking at you with hands firmly placed on the hips.
Just as you can build physical strength through training, you can also build mental strength through training.
Mental strength
Mental sharpness isn’t something you’re born with- it’s something you build. If you want to perform like a champion, you can’t just hope your mindset shows up when you need it.
You have to train it!
Deliberately…
…and relentlessly.
Until mental strength becomes your default.
That’s the difference between those who crack under pressure and those who rise above it.
Champion Yourself
A champion makes greatness happen.
Despite what may seem like impossible odds.
Not all our children are destined for a professional contract. But all of them can acquire a champions mindset.
Any child can learn to think like a champion. We can all strive to be the best version of ourselves.
Mental fortitude isn’t something you either have or don’t- it’s something you ingrain through relentless effort.
With the right training, discipline and mindset, you hardwire resilience into your child, turning setbacks into glorious victories.
Importantly…
All of us can learn to think like a champion, but will we?
Champions develop and maintain a complete body and mind approach to their performance.
They don’t wait for perfect conditions or easy wins.
Instead…
They attack every challenge, squeezing the best out of every situation.
They show up.
Put in the work…
And go the extra mile- day after day- because they know success isn’t handed out like some participation trophy.
Scout Yourself
As a parent, get your child to create a scouting report for himself. Get him to complete a report by taking a hard, unblinking look at all aspects of soccer performance.
To begin…
Think about mentality, strength, technique, stamina and coping mechanisms.
How would they rate themselves in these categories on a scale of one to five, where one represents room for improvement and five represents peak performance?
How would you rate your child?
How would others rate your child?
Be sure to be honest but also upbeat, because a negative attitude, delusions or an unwillingness to improve will leave you on the bench instead of lifting trophies.
Even if your child is a natural gifted player, he still has to tap into that gift. Even if you’re part of a winning team, you will have to continue to push and believe you can continue to improve.
Remember…
Potential is just another word for “haven’t made it!”
You must keep training…
Competing…
…and trying to improve.
No matter your child’s current performance level, never rule out their capacity to become a soccer champion.
Attitude is a decision, and it is also a learned behaviour, requiring discipline, focus and energy to sustain.
Recognise that there will never be a better time and place than right now to become a soccer champion.
Why settle for anything else?
Frequently Made Excuses
Don’t have the time.
Don’t have the energy.
I’m not naturally talented.
I’m afraid of failing.
Because let’s be real…
They’re the same ones that 99% of the soccer community make. The ones who almost get there. The ones who were ear marked for stardom. The ones who had potential but never turned the dust into gold.
The Truth about Soccer Champions
Soccer Champions don’t wait for the perfect storm…
They don’t wait for the starts to align…
They don’t waste time thinking and procrastinating…
They decide, right now!
They push… when everyone quits.
Because they understand the simple, undeniable truth…
Soccer success isn’t about luck. It’s about ownership.
Because in the end, the difference between being good and being great comes down to one thing.
Who’s willing to do what others won’t?
Will that be you?
“May the winds of destiny blow you to the stars”
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