“Every game’s a championship game. When we focus that way, get prepared that way — that this is it, you know, this is the last one, the biggest one — you get ready, you get amped up, you get that laser focus and you’re ready to play.” Russell Wilson

There is a strong link between mental focus and football performance.

Actively engaging your mind throughout the game will keep your momentum going and help you reach your full potential.

Become Aware of Negative Thoughts

In order to get rid of negative thoughts, you must become aware of your thought patterns.

Start paying attention to the messages you tell yourself in your mind on and off the field.

Especially pay attention to any of those patterns of negative thinking that arise. Become a curious observer of what goes on in your inner environment.

The mind can emulate a radio on a bad station that keeps playing the same old tunes over and over.

Through your lack of awareness, the tune will continue playing just because it has a certain momentum.

By bringing awareness to your thinking patterns, you bring in a new higher dimension of thinking – you become mindful. You will be able to counter that old tune (negative messages) to a more pleasant tune (positive messages).

Slowly the positive thoughts will take over, and after a while, that old tune will lose its momentum and eventually will not play at all.

Strive to catch negative thoughts as they arise before they gain too much energy. As soon as the negative thoughts occur, immediately counter the negative thoughts with positive thoughts.

Focus on Your Positive Energy

A positive mindset is what powers a team or individual to perform and to push forward in pursuit of improvement.

To develop this positive mindset when you are playing keep negativity out of the environment.

• Here is how you can do that.
• Focus on the things you can control.
• Be realistic in your expectations.
• Look for the positives in your performances.
• Be constructive and encouraging with your teammates.
• Cherish the successes.
• Surround yourself with positive people.
• Challenge your negative thoughts.

Regroup & Regain Your Focus

When lost in negative thinking players tend to be so engrossed in those thoughts that they lose touch with the present moment.

To become fully conscious and able to step out of negative thinking processes, redirect your attention to being successful in what is going on right now. The current play.

The more you practice awareness of these thought patterns, the faster you will begin to redirect yourself when it is needed the most.

It is like building a muscle, in time you will build football confidence and strong football mental toughness. Then those old habits are worn away, and you are no longer preoccupied with negativity

You will be able to focus and reach your full potential.

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