Soccer Tough 2: Advanced Psychology Techniques for Footballers by Dan Abrahams

Author:Dan Abrahams [Abrahams, Dan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: soccer
Publisher: Bennion Kearny
Published: 2015-03-14T16:00:00+00:00

A Brutal Competitor

In the week leading up to the 2015 Scottish FA Cup Final, Marley and I had been talking about being a brutal competitor. It was, after all, the biggest game of his career.

Before Marley arrived at Barnsley to play in the English League Division One, he had played for Inverness in the Scottish Premier League. During the 2014/15 season he had been one of the standout players and had been rewarded with a cup final appearance against Scottish club Falkirk.

Marley told me over the phone, a few days before the game, that he wanted to make a big impact. He wanted to cap an outstanding season by scoring and being the man of the match. I was quick to respond and get him focusing on the things he could control:

“What are the things that are going to stop you playing well? What will stop you being the best player on the pitch?”

Marley had a little think and then responded, “I know the defenders are going to be really up for it. They are strong and they’re going to get tight to me. I’m not going to have much space or much room.”

“Okay, so what are you going to do to combat that, Marley?” I asked him.

“I’m going to work all week on my movement – in this game I’ve got to be a step ahead and I’ve got to play with more energy than ever. I’ve got to keep my self-talk real strong and make sure I’m on my toes at all times. If we go a goal down I can’t give up – I have to have a relentless mindset.”

I loved that answer, and I sent him a text message straight after our call to remind him of what he had said to me. I asked him to look at the message daily. I wanted him to see his own words every day leading into the game.

On the day of the game, Marley was ready. He had mentally contrasted during the week and he was prepared for anything the Falkirk defenders wanted to throw at him.

And so, when the game kicked off, Marley did what he had told me he was going to do. He was sharp and alive and athletic. He played head up and on his toes. Midway through the first half, his team mate found him with a through ball that split the defence open. Marley, playing with energy and confidence, got on the end of the pass and rounded the goalkeeper. He then gently caressed the ball into the back of the net.

As he ran off towards the corner flag in celebration, he let out a scream of delight. The dozens of conversations he had had on the phone with me about his mindset – about confidence and energy and focus and controllers and dealing with distractions – had all been worth it. He was discovering his own personal brand of excellence.

And that day will stick in the mind of Marley Watkins for the rest of his life.

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