Sports Psychology The Winning Formula

Have you ever noticed how some people are good at all sports? More than just being talented in one
particular game or skill, they seem to overcome natural disadvantages to win at many things. Sometimes it's a case of having better overall speed, agility or eye-hand co-ordination. But other times it's something else some people simply have a greater hunger to win and are better trained MENTALLY to achieve
this ambition.

In last year's Champions' League semi-final against Juventus, Roy Keane of Man.Utd and Ireland was immense. Despite being booked and knowing that consequently he would miss the Final if his team got there, he drove United forward, inspiring them with a brilliant performance that brought them back into the match and eventually won it for them.

It wasn't that Keane was any more talented physically than anyone else on the pitch he simply refused to be beaten. Determination and competitiveness were his great strengths on the night, and that was what won it for his team. And yet, it wasn't always like this. There were times in the past, when things weren't going his way, that Keane would get angry, and was sent off on a number occasions for rash and bad-tempered behaviour.

Roy Keane has matured into a fine player with an ideal attitude that makes him a winner and without a doubt one of the best players in the world. If he was playing tiddlywinks against you he'd want to beat you. Improving YOUR competitiveness and mental skills can improve YOUR game too!

This department within the southamericansoccer.com web-site aims to help you to improve your "inner game" to give you that extra edge to help you out-perform your competitors and help your team to glory. Over the coming months we'll be adding more and more features on how to maximise your mental strengths to achieve a better performance on the pitch. It'll take practice and time, but in the end you can add greatly to your skills if you can give yourself "the winning mind".

At the launch of the site we have two topics to get you started one on goal setting, which is one of the most important skills of the lot, the other a quick summary of a number of sports psychology skills in a brief section on what makes a champion. Have a look at them now, and watch out for many more features on this theme in the coming weeks.

We want to turn you from being just another ordinary player into being a WINNER!



What makes a Champion?

Based on an article by R.V.Ganslen in 1965, a few idea for you to think about. How well do YOU shape up when it comes to the following points? Don't kid yourself be honest and see which applies. You might just recognise something that you can improve!

How to become a CHAMPION
Be determined, irrespective of your size, shape, fitness, equipment or conditions.

Exude confidence (without being too cocky).

Play often to get experience. Don't fear tough games or hard opponents you can learn from them.

Always think positively.

Be objective and open-minded about soccer at all times. Be open to new ideas in training and matches.

Read about and question good players about technique, training and correcting faults. Think about what you are doing and trying to achieve when you train.

Help your team-mates. You will improve and learn a huge amount by doing so.

Control your emotions just before and during a competition. A little nervousness is good ñ it releases adrenalin and gives you an "edge". But getting too nervous or too excited can inhibit your play.

Always take the blame yourself if you make a mistake. Don't blame others. Study the reasons for your mistakes, but don't brood on them. Every player makes mistakes it's the ones who learn from them who go on maximise their potential in the sport.

Work hard at your training.

Setting Your Goals

It's an awful pun, but success in soccer is all about GOALS!

 One of the most crucial elements to you achieving success in the sport is to have a set of targets. It's a theme we're going to come back to again and again on the southamericansoccer.com web-site, with more articles and features on the idea.

 Writing out a list of clearly defined goals will be one of the most important things you do all season!

 Having a set of goals will:

1.      Give you a sense of direction in your soccer career.

2.      Help you stay motivated when things aren't going so well.

3.      Give you a sense of focus and purpose which will help your overall game.

4.      Help your self-confidence.

5.      Greatly improve your standard of play on a steady and long-term basis.

If you don't have goals you may:

1.      Lose motivation.

2.      Lose concentration.

3.      Get demoralised when things are going badly.

4.      Fail to understand when a performance is particularly good or bad.

5.      Fail to improve as a player ­ because you¹ve nothing to improve for.

So it's time to sit down and write out your goals. Get the help of your coach, your parents and anyone you think may help you. Take your time and think about what you want to achieve in the sport, and realistically how much you are prepared to give it. For example, there's no point having a goal of playing for a Premiership first team if you aren't prepared to train hard several days a week and on all aspects of your game.

Remember that goals should be:

Graded.

Simply having an Irish selection as your goal is insufficient. You need goals for this year, this month, even the training you're going to do this week. So grade your goals so that you can build for improvement allowing for the fact that it will take time. When do you hope to improve? At what age do you hope to reach what level? Make out goals that allow for steady improvement over time.

Objective.

Your goals must be realistic. There's no point hoping to represent Ireland this year if you're still only 9. But it might be a target to get on your club's 1^st team. Or it might even be just to get on any team! You don't have to show your goals to anyone, so you don't have to be unnecessarily boastful or anything. Don't aim stupidly high so that you are just disappointed when you fall short.

A challenge.

On the other hand, if your goals are too easy there's nothing to push yourself for. Too many people pick targets that are too easy so that they know they'll achieve them. They may have a great time meeting all these phoney targets, but they're not reaching their potential. Think about what targets are appropriate to challenge you and set your goals accordingly.

Likely to Change.

Goals and targets aren't fixed for all time! You will need to change and update them as factors and circumstances change in your life and your career. For example, if you break your leg, don't panic and think that you're a failure because you'll never achieve your goals now. You're just going to have to be patient, readjust your goals to suit the injury, and set new goals to help you recover. The loser panics and gives up in the face of set-backs. The winner reacts positively and starts planning their comeback as soon as possible.

Specific.

Goals and targets should be measurable. They should also be performance-related ­not result-related. Your target should be something YOU can achieve eg, to get selected on the Dublin team. Don¹t have your goal as to win the next match because that depends on the quality of the opposition if you play a particularly strong team you could play very well and yet end up disappointed. Your goals should be something that you can achieve yourself and doesn't rely on the strength of the opposition.

So that's it sit down now and work out those goals and targets. In the future, the southamericansoccer.com site will feature more on this important subject, but you have enough to go on to get you started and to help you convert that natural talent into a successful footballing career.

DIFFERENT WAYS TO SHOOT

1. Shooting with the Inside of the foot

The Inside of the foot gives the greatest accuracy, though it is not the most powerful form of shot.

The Inside of the foot is the one to use for

Free kicks.

Shooting close to the goal.

When you¹re taking a penalty.

Approach the ball from the non-striking side. This means, if you want to shoot with your right foot, then you should come at the ball from the left, not from straight behind it.

If you want the ball to curve in the air you should try to hit the ball with spin by approaching it from the side and striking it so that your foot is moving at an angle to the direction in which you want the ball to go.

If you want the ball to go high then strike it low.

If you want the ball to travel along the ground then strike the ball in the middle.

2.      Shooting with the top of the foot

Hitting the ball with the top of the foot on the laces as they say is the most powerful way to shoot.

The Outside of the foot is the one to use for

When the ball is moving

When you want the ball to fly straight at the target

When you want to beat the goalie with the sheer pace of the shot.

This shot is not suitable for when you want to put spin on the ball.

You can approach the ball from any angle.

You must the ball dead centre for maximum accuracy because this form of shot tends to make the ball rise.

If you hit the ball too low it will go far too high above your target.

3. Shooting with the Outside of the foot

Hitting the ball with the outside of the foot is the most difficult, but it can be the most effective, because it can combine the power of the top of the foot (laces) with the spin of the inside of the foot.

This shot was invented in Brazil by the legendary Didi in the 1950s and he went on to use it in the world cup winning Brazilian team of 1958. In Brazil people call this shot ŒFolha Seca¹ meaning Dry Leaf, because it causes the ball to twist in the air like an autumn leaf in the wind.

The correct approach to the ball is from behind but slightly to one side.

Unlike with the Inside of the foot, here you must approach the bal from the same side as your striking foot. This means, if you want to kick the ball with your right foot, then you must approach the ball from the right.

This is the favourite shot of the famous Roberto Carlos.