“My responsibility is leadership, and the minute I get negative, that is going to have an influence on my team” – Don Shula

In sport, there is an increasing awareness of how important psychological factors are within athletic performance, and it is now being recognized that physical talent is not the only component which leads to success.

According to football psychologists, mental toughness is viewed as one of the most important attributes that will lead to a successful athletic performance.

Great football coaches learn from other great football coaches. So how do they actually do it?

Display passion – Great coaches are known for their passion towards their sports. They constantly seek new ways to improve speed, agility, and strategy of the players. Showing they are passionate about their team, players, and their job; they truly inspire the players and encourage them to perform better.

Focus on the individual – A good coach knows precisely that teams are made up of individuals and each individual needs to perform his part in order to win a competition. By focusing on the individual players and helping them hone their skills, they strengthen the building blocks of the team and create a sound foundation for success.

Determine the team dynamics necessary for success – Although a team consists of multiple individuals, not all of them interact to the same extent. Good coaches determine which roles require interaction and synergy, and focus on helping the players develop those interactions until they interact seamlessly together. This enables the players to improve the overall football mental game and performance of their team.

Become a buffer – Good Coaches always speak out about their team’s performance. They praise their players when they win a game and defend them when they make mistakes. By acting as a buffer between the players and third parties, they show to their team that they care, which in turn can help build loyalty and trust among the players.

Set up successes for the Players to build upon – Great coaches know that all big victories stand on the shoulders of numerous small victories. Accordingly, they set realistic goals and praise their players when they achieve them. By doing so, they create a culture of success. They allow the players to consistently improve their football confidence while simultaneously preparing the team for higher performance.

Coaches can be a great catalyst for increasing the confidence, focus, composure and developing a mindset for success. Great coaches play a huge role in helping the players deal with the pressure of competition. If the coaches are genuinely concerned about the players as individuals and praised them as a team that will improve their mental game and the results on the field will lead to victories.

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

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