The Psychological Side of the Possession Game:
To perform well as a soccer player, first you believe that you can perform well, by believing that you can perform well, you will visualize that you can perform well, by visualizing you performing well…you will attract it!
On the youth level it is important that coaches understand and accept the benefits of the psychological side of the game and convince their players on how beneficial that can be. The soccer player needs to be reminded of the importance and benefits of having his/her mind working in their favor, and never against them.
Playing soccer is like watching a movie that you have already seen. By understanding what the next picture will be, the soccer player can already anticipate the next play and place to be, by determining how to react.
It is seeing the clear picture in their minds that is about to take place, even without the real picture/situation taking place yet, due to the speed and clarity of thoughts, the player visualizes the play as he/she wants it to be and naturally works towards that vision. This mental technique does not guarantee the play to go on the players way every single time, but certainly will help.
As teachers of soccer, we must teach players to constantly asking themselves,,, what am I going to do (with the ball) when/if the ball comes to me?,,, then learn to proactively prepare for that event.
Advanced thinking is to learn how to outsmart opponents…expose and take advantage of weaknesses and to even set up opponents for special play or move.
By creating awareness, via teaching, via showing and via visual examples, the youth players will elevate their advantage over the opponents by taking as much advantage as possible of the psychological side of the game.
The Physical side of the Possession Game/conditioning:
To elevate the possession game style and it’s effectiveness over the opponents, endurance is paramount.
Enduring longer than the competition will be a contributing factor for the success of the possession game. Without fatigue and tiredness distracting the mind of the soccer player, he/she will maintain a lucid mind to execute the plan that has been established by the whole team before the game.
The dynamics of the possession game and it’s optimum physical side will complement one another on a perfect fusion.
