Mental Strength: Playing soccer teaches life lessons to kids
Is there anything more important than focusing on the soccer pitch? The game demands that you pay attention every single second—because of its speed—there’s always something to do, always an action to take—whether you have the ball at your feet or not.
Soccer Players: The Importance of Focus and Dealing with Distraction
Focus at school, college, or work may work differently to the soccer pitch.
LIFE ISN’T QUITE AS QUICK AS A SOCCER MATCH. 
You must focus for sustained periods if you are revising or striving to complete an important project, but the pressure to stay constantly alert isn’t there.
The similarities between soccer and life when it comes to focus lie in the skill of dealing with distraction. I use the word ‘skill’ to emphasize its importance and to suggest that it can be improved.
DEALING WITH DISTRACTION IS A SKILL THAT IS VITALLY IMPORTANT AND CAN BE IMPROVED!
On the soccer pitch, a player can become distracted by numerous things—the movement and runs of the opposition, a mistake he or she has just made, a refereeing decision, or even the state of the pitch or inclement weather conditions.
When doing school or college work or completing a work project. Distraction usually comes in the form of your phone or internet, friends, work colleagues, or family members.
I must admit that right now, as I write this article, I feel the urge to peek at my X feed. As I write, my mind is gently—and sometimes aggressively—weaving the same technique I teach my soccer clients: spot, stop, shift. I spot myself feeling distracted, I tell myself, “Stop,” and then I shift my focus of attention and my thoughts back to my work.
AND IN LIFE, JUST AS IN SOCCER, THE KEY IS THE SPEED IN WHICH YOU USE THIS SHIFTING PROCESS.
If you allow the distraction to linger, it will most likely impede your work. You’ll click on that Facebook message when you should be completing your assignment. You`ll chat with your work colleague when you know very well that the project deadline is imminent.
My advice? Do what a soccer player should do.
Spot the distraction, stop it, and shift your focus and thoughts back to the important thing at that time.
Soccer Players: Self-Belief and Confidence
I use countless techniques and philosophies in my consultancy with soccer players to help them play with greater confidence and believe in themselves more.
One thing that I use regularly with clients and myself is body language.
FOR ME, HOW YOU HOLD YOURSELF, HOW YOU STAND, HOW YOU WALK AND THE GESTURES YOU SHOW ARE IMPORTANT.
Quite often, a soccer player says to me “This body language is all very well Dan, but is at actually going to make me a better player?”
The answer to that isn’t a simple one.
What I`m not saying is that using your body language can make you the next Lionel Messi or Alex Morgan.
But I believe that if a player commits to having excellent body language no matter what, they can start exploring just how good they can be.
You’ve got a pressure game, so commit to using great body language! You’ve just made a mistake that’s led to a goal against, so commit to using great body language!
You’re marking a tall, strong, athletic striker, commit to keeping great body language!
By going into a game with the attitude that you’re going to keep great body language no matter what, you give yourself a chance to stay switched on and to execute your skills with confidence nonstop.
YOU GIVE YOURSELF A CHANCE TO LOOK LIKE A TEAMMATE FULL TO THE BRIM WITH SELF-BELIEF.
And what about your everyday life?
Great body language during all important meetings can help you clinch the deal! When presenting to your class, great body language can help you attain higher grades! Excellent body language at that social event can help you attract the right people.
My advice? Do what a soccer player should do.
Aim to keep great body language at the most essential times in your life…no matter what.
A global sports psychologist and author specializing in soccer, Dan Abrahams is based in England and works with professional soccer players in the English Premier League (EPL). Abrahams has worked with hundreds of soccer players – many who play in the English Premier League (EPL). From working with players at Crystal Palace, QPR, Fulham, and West Ham among others, Abrahams counsels players on how to play at peak performance. Abrahams has authored several books and has a Soccer Academy as well.
