Soccer coaches: improve your behaviors and improve the performance of your players

The job of a soccer coach has to be the toughest and most stressful management role on the planet. There is no hiding. Its results are immediate, once or even twice a week. Club boards and fans want instant results. Poor performance is punished mercilessly and in public. Humiliation is a constant companion.

Under this constant pressure, one can understand why many managers rant and rave on the sidelines, on television, radio, and in the press. However, they are not aware that their aggressive and insulting behavior is condemning their players to continued poor performance.

In today’s competitive world, almost every football manager knows that at Premier League level most players are equal in terms of fitness and skill. What makes the STAR, what makes the player exceptional is mental aptitude. It’s mental fitness that wins the games.

So why do many coaches behave in ways that harm the mental health of their players? Surely it can only be ignorance (in its true meaning), because every coach wants success for his players and his club.

So here are seven things a soccer coach should do to develop the mental fitness of his players.

1. Openly promise, right now, to never criticize any of your players in public. Not even if it’s justified. You will speak frankly in private and if you decide to fire a player you will do so in the most decent manner possible.

2. Tell your players that you like them, that you think they are great players, and that you know that each one of them does their best in every game. You trust them.

3. Do whatever it takes to get back to having fun and enjoying yourself on the team. People cannot perform at their best when they are afraid, worried, or unhappy. Make fun your main goal. Work hard, yes! Win games, of course. But let’s not beat ourselves up when we make mistakes. Let’s get the fun back in our football and in our lives.

4. Genuinely praise even the smallest improvement or the smallest spark of brilliance and praise openly. Especially when things go wrong. Big fires start with small sparks. Really look for things to praise.

5. Stop yelling, teasing, and insulting, even in private. Your macho ego may feel good, but it doesn’t do your players any good. In fact, they will subconsciously hate you and play bad games to spite you, and they won’t even know they’re doing it. Focus on helping people do better, not on sarcastically squashing them.

6. Make it your primary goal to help each individual become the best player they can be. Being seen helping players with their careers. If your club can’t meet the salary or playing aspirations of a brilliant player, work with them to find the best possible transfer. Imagine the effect this will have. Players will give you undying loyalty and effort when they know you’re there for them.

7. Find ways to keep players’ minds focused on success. Every day, several times a day, make statements that predict success and hope for success. Don’t even hint at losing! Allow time for players to visualize that success – it all comes from a dream.

Yes, some money to buy talent is helpful, but it’s not everything. Seriously apply these seven rules for two weeks and watch your team improve beyond what you ever thought possible.