critical moments . Although utilizing positive self-talk and reframing were tools that we had been using for quite some time , I needed to give the players very specific language and breathing techniques to use when their arousal states started to be detrimental to their ability to perform and produce on the field . Training the players in deep diaphragmatic breathing ( aka belly breathing ) when they felt frustrated , tense , dejected , or even when they were overly stimulated allowed them to lower their heart rate , get more oxygen to the brain and muscles , and refocus on the task at hand .
This was not all that easy because in the heat of competition , it ’ s hard to remember to check on the quality of your breathing when your mind is racing . So , initially , the coaching staff would periodically remind the players simply to breathe . Eventually , the players themselves started to realize when a teammate would start to get into a tense or frustrated state of mind and they would remind one another . This was combined with the ideas of positive self-talk . In sessions off the field , we helped educate the players on utilizing positive statements of confidence that they could use when the game seemed to be getting away from them . In conjunction with this , we worked with the players on reframing situations where they could take difficult moments that caused anxiety and doubt and replace their perspectives and thoughts with something more hopeful and positively challenging .
Once the players were educated to use the tools , it was critical to get some of the leaders to help advance these actions on the field . So , I worked with a small group of mature players on the team ( captains and other leaders ) with skills to communicate in more effective ways in these critical moments . I routinely asked my leaders to be aware of moments where they could ask themselves : “ What does the team need from me right now ?” “ How can I have a positive influence in the next five minutes ?” “ How can I calm the emotions of my teammates in this moment ?” Of course , most of these reference the instances when momentum is seemingly going against your team , but we made sure to have them ask similar questions when things seemed to be going well . We wanted to help them understand the best ways to maintain that positive momentum so that it would lead to more productive outcomes by using encouragement , high energy , positive body language , and leadership .
Of course , as the coach , I also had to pay more attention to how and what I was communicating in those critical moments . Was I doing more harm than good by yelling coaching instructions to the player who had just messed up and allowed a goal to be scored ? Did the team need more energy from me in a certain moment ? How was my body language , tone of voice , and were my comments given at the appropriate time ? These were just a few of the questions I asked myself in order evaluate not just the information , but how my players were receiving my communication in those critical moments . I had to find better ways to either maintain or shift that momentum in our favor by being more mindful of my players ’ mindsets and emotions .
Lastly , there always seemed to be a strategic element to influencing momentum in the game . I needed to empower my captains and leaders to make adjustments , as necessary , in the flow of the match . They had to recognize it and then communicate what needed to either continue or change for the benefit of the team . For example , did we have an outside back who was bombing forward and creating dangerous opportunities for us ? If so , then one of the leaders needed to encourage her to continue those runs in an effort to maintain pressure on the opponent and keep the momentum in our favor . On the flip side , they needed the confidence to feel like they could also give feedback to teammates about how to change something that was not working that could possibly make a difference in the game . Of course , the coach also has a role to play in the tactical adjustments with things like coaching points , substitutions , and changes to the shape or to the game plan .
These are a few examples of tactical decisions that might make a difference , but there is always the opportunity for that moment where your leaders have the potential to make a play that energizes those around them . It could be a crunching tackle or a fantastic individual effort that leads to a near miss or a saved penalty kick by your goalkeeper . As coaches , we have experienced these moments where our leaders step up to energize the team and give some hope that the game can be won .
So , for all our efforts , have the players on my team become significantly better at influencing momentum over this last year since we started to implement these ideas ? The answer is that it ’ s a work in progress that needs more time . They are certainly more aware and able to recognize phases of momentum in and around the critical moments of the game . They are much more in tune with strategies to either maintain or shift momentum when they feel it moving and flowing through the match . By using positive self-talk and reframing , giving more autonomy to our leaders to communicate and make tactical adjustments , and the coaching staff maturing in our understanding of how best to utilize our communication skills , we continue to attempt to influence momentum in ways that will help our team be more productive and successful . As we all know , some of our players will buy into these ideas and more readily practice them than others . And really , like everything we do as coaches , repetition is critical for any of these tools to be practical and successful . Educating the players , enhancing mental and emotional management , and developing productive leadership can all pay positive dividends through the waves of momentum in the game . n
18 | Soccer Journal