'First with the head, then with the heart."
Quote from the novel, The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay.
CONCENTRATION As a club, we put a premium on athlete's who focus during training. Our teams and players that train with the highest level of focus consistently perform at the highest levels come game day. Jim Taylor's Laws of training to achieve focus. Law #1 The purpose of training is to develop effective technical, tactical, and mental skills and habits. Law #2 Whatever players need to do in competition, they must first do in training. Law #3 Prime training (being able to train at a consistently high level throughout a training session) requires clear purpose and prime focus and intensity. Law #4 Consistent training lead to consistent competitive performance. CONFIDENCE Confidence can be lost because of these and other issues- Playing a new position Loss of form Injury Mistakes during a game Off field issues Coach changing tactics Coaching change Not starting or getting less time Team not winning Excerpt from Focused for Soccer by Bill Beswick Confidence is a Choice The journey to becoming a more complete player begins by building confidence and then learning to maintain it after setbacks. When players or coaches describe themselves as being under pressure, they are really identifying a lack of confidence in dealing with a situation. With confidence, we expect success... Once you have made the choice...you must take responsibility for your actions. Successful players build strong inner confidence by concentrating on their contribution to success or failure. Rather than blaming someone, or something else...they take responsibility and see setbacks as part of a learning curve, not a disaster that could damage confidence. ...the most important self-talk a player who misses a chance on goal is the phrase "I'll get the next one," immediately ensuring that the disappointment of the miss does not damage the confidence of the next strike. Characteristics of Confidence
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