Football is a sport that demands physical fitness, technical skill, and tactical acumen. However, one often overlooked yet crucial aspect of success on the pitch is mental preparation. Pre-season training is not just about conditioning the body; it’s also about strengthening the mind. The importance of mental preparation for football teams during pre-season training cannot be overstated, as it lays the groundwork for resilience, focus, and optimal performance throughout the season.
During the men’s Euro 2024 tournament in Germany, England men’s team got to the final but were beaten by a brilliant Spanish team. In the quarter-final, England dispatched Switzerland in a tense penalty shootout. Although, I say tense, none of the England players appeared nervous – even after losing to Italy on penalties during the last European Championships in 2021. All five penalty takers looked calm and composed and they scored their spot kicks with unwavering self-assurance.
The narrative has shifted when it comes to England and penalty shootouts at major tournaments – but why? What has moved the dial? One of the key factors is meticulous preparation. A great example of this captured by the media during the penalty shootout win over Switzerland was Jordan Pickford’s water bottle. On it, he had a list of Swiss players and next to their names, an indication of which way they were likely to strike their penalties. This type of thing has been prevalent in professional sports for years, but it’s a nice reminder of how important preparation is in the pursuit of high performance.
Marginal gains is the art of being fully prepared. And mental preparation should be given just as much attention as physical, technical, and tactical training. Many football experts would say it’s improvements in the mental side of the game that has enabled England to break down barriers, and get to another major final under the leadership of Gareth Southgate. Although this example is not specifically related to pre-season preparation, the same principle applies – by failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.
Building Resilience
Football is a game of highs and lows, where victory and defeat are part and parcel of the journey. Resilience—the ability to bounce back from setbacks, withstand pressure, stay composed, and maintain a positive attitude—is essential. Pre-season training offers an ideal time to cultivate resilience. Coaches can incorporate psychological strategies such as visualization and mindfulness exercises into the training programme. Visualization helps players imagine themselves succeeding in various scenarios, thereby building confidence, while mindfulness exercises enhance concentration and emotional regulation. Aside from having a good understanding of psychology and how to build these types of exercises into training, this takes time, and coaches often don’t have much time.
Enhancing Focus
The ability to maintain focus and concentration throughout a match is a key determinant of success in football. Distractions, whether from the opposing team, the crowd, or internal thoughts, can significantly impair performance. During pre-season training, mental techniques aimed at improving focus are as vital as physical exercises. Techniques such as meditation and breathing exercises can help players develop laser-like focus. These practices train the mind to stay present, manage stress, and remain undeterred by external factors. As a result, players are better equipped to make quick decisions, execute plays accurately, and maintain consistency under pressure.
Fostering Team Cohesion and Communication
Football is inherently a team sport, where success hinges on seamless collaboration and effective communication. Mental preparation during pre-season is not solely an individual endeavor; it’s also about building a cohesive unit. Team-building activities, trust exercises, and open communication sessions can significantly enhance team chemistry. When players trust each other and communicate effectively, they are more likely to work harmoniously, anticipate each other’s moves, and support one another during challenging times. This collective mental strength is often the difference between a good team and a great one.
Managing Emotions Intelligently
The pressure to perform can lead to stress and anxiety, which, if not managed effectively, can hinder performance and wellbeing. Pre-season training should include emotional regulation techniques to equip players with tools to handle pressure. Self-talk strategies and cognitive-behavioral techniques can help players regulate their emotions. By learning to manage performance anxiety, players can maintain composure during high-stakes situations, recover quickly from mistakes, and perform at their best consistently.
Wrapping Up: A Holistic Approach to Pre-Season Training
The importance of mental preparation during pre-season training for football teams cannot be overstated. While physical conditioning and technical skills are fundamental, the mental and emotional aspects of the game are equally critical. Building resilience, enhancing focus and concentration, fostering team cohesion, and managing emotions are all integral components of a comprehensive pre-season training program.
Incorporating mental preparation into pre-season training not only prepares players for the immediate challenges of the upcoming season but also contributes to their long-term development as people and as athletes. A mentally prepared team is a formidable force, capable of navigating the ups and downs of the football season with poise and determination. As the new season approaches, football teams should embrace a holistic approach to training, one that recognizes and harnesses the power of the mind to achieve greatness on the pitch.
Using HeadCoach for Mental Preparation
It would be weird if we didn’t tell you how HeadCoach can help you and your team with their mental preparation. Right?
Understanding how you are feeling is key to Emotional Wellbeing. The first step to develop Emotional Intelligence is recognizing and labelling your emotions. HeadCoach gives coaches and athletes the tools to understand their current state using our Daily Check-in and Journals to help you understand your feelings.
Some of the other emotional skills athletes work on include Resilience, Teamwork and Optimism – all key skills for the season ahead. Resilience to thrive on pressure and cope with setbacks. Setbacks will always happen during a season but the best teams are defined by how they respond to them. Developing Teamwork will help athletes to work effectively as part of a team and cultivating Optimism can help you maintain a positive outlook across a long season.
We are hosting a webinar on 25th July where my co-founder, Jonathon, and I will be discussing these strategies and how they can be instilled into sports teams. Click below to sign-up.