“When you are out there, you just have to react. That’s why you work on those throws. When you’re in the moment, you can’t think to yourself, ‘How do I get this to go 47 yards and be 2 yards inside the sideline? ‘Aaron Rodgers

Even though physical aspects such as strength, speed, and power are indescribably important in football, the football mental game part also plays a huge role.

That’s why; today every top football team and elite athlete has a sports psychologist or mental game coach on speed dial for help.

Sports psychology for football is one of the most important determinants between the good and the great athletes. It can give you that slight edge over your opponent that you need to compete better and ultimately enjoy playing.

So, what is sports psychology?

What can sport psychology do for your performance?

What are the benefits?

Sports psychology is a field of study. Much of its research and teaching is based on how psychology influences sports, athletic performance, exercise, and physical activity. Traditionally speaking, sports psychology is broken down into these three categories:

1. Sports psychology – focuses upon the application of psychotherapy within the context of athletic competition
2. Exercise Psychology – focuses upon researching the social cognitive, behavioral and psychological precursors and consequences of physical activity within the context of maintaining of a physical activity routine.
3. Performance Psychology – focuses on the psychology of athlete performance within professions or athletics that demand excellence in psycho-motor performance

Negative external or internal psychological factors can lead to mental blocks, causing breaks in focus and preparation, poor performance and, at times, injuries to the athlete.

They can produce physical disruptions such as muscles tightening, shaking and increased perspiration. If not dealt with, these factors may affect your overall football mental toughness.

To combat these powerful effects, you can focus on football psychology tactics such as goal setting, routines, visualization, and confidence.

A great way to prime your football mind is by seeing it as a tool for success.

The only difficulty with psychology for football is that it takes time and a commitment to develop. You must have regular football mental training session in order for this process to be successful and helpful in your performance.

You will begin to trust yourself more in pressured situations. Make fewer mistakes when it counts the most. When you do finally trust yourself, you will perform your best and you will achieve your goals in football.

*Download the free mental game assessment and get started on Improving your Mental Game in Football