How to Build Soccer Player Confidence
What to Do if a Soccer Team Thinks They Can't Win
Countering Fear and Preconceived Notions

Hi SoccerHelp,

I will relate a story from my first season as a U10 girls coach. I coached a team that was 6-1-1 when we faced a team in our league which was 9-0 and had not lost a game the prior season as well. Prior to the game my girls were expressing to me and each other that they had no chance to win and the other team was so much better than they were. I'm thinking to myself that my team is nuts; they were only focusing on the other team's record and not their own accomplishments.

I quickly gathered the team together for a "pep talk." I told them that our team was faster and tougher than the other team (the truth), and I basically told them that I had seen the other team play and they were not that good (which was a lie). The girls didn't know any better and believed me and played the game without fear or any preconceived notions. We won 2-1. I have no doubt we would have lost if I had not changed their focus prior to the start of the game.

U10 Coach

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Hi Coach,

That is a great, great story. It reminds me of a quote from the "Motivational Quotes" on Premium:

"Life's battles don't always go to the stronger or faster man. Sooner or later the man who wins is the man who thinks he can." Vince Lombardi

Good luck and please stay in touch.

David at SoccerHelp

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