WHAT:
WHY:
ROLE CLARITY
When players clearly know their roles and responsibilities, they are better prepared for peak performance. Role clarity improves role acceptance. Players know what to expect and how they can best contribute to the team objectives. When players embrace their roles on a team there is more team cohesion. A cohesive team is more likely to perform well in the post-season.
HOW:( 1) Role Expectations Activity and( 2) Individual Meetings
For players to do their job, they need to clearly understand their role on a team. For players to buy into any team concept, they need to learn to put the team before themselves. As a team it can be helpful to address expectations of players by role, position, year in school, and time on the team( adjust“ segments” as needed).
ROLE EXPECTATION ACTIVITY: Divide players into four random groups and assign a captain or other team leader to each group. Each group has a segment of the team to discuss( 1) upper-class starters,( 2) under-class starters,( 3) upper-class substitutes, and( 4) under-class substitutes. Groups should determine the role expectations for their assigned groups. Captains should facilitate the small-group discussions. Consider behavior, readiness, communication, and contributions needed from each segment of the team. Then, groups should share their lists of expectations with the entire team. For club teams, perhaps use starters, substitutes, positions, or newcomers as the segments to discuss. In all settings, encourage players to fulfill the behavior and performance expectations associated with their roles. When players know their role expectations, they are better able to apply the attentional focus strategies, as well. Role clarity will also improve the collective team performance and reduce playing time uncertainties. For more guidance on playing time, see“ The Mental” in the Fall 2024 Soccer Journal issue.
INDIVIDUAL MEETINGS: As a follow-up to the player-led group activity, coaches can provide individualized feedback to each player. Enlist the help of assistant coaches, so the coaching staff has time to meet with each player. By having brief individual meetings with players, coaches can discuss players’ roles and responsibilities. Coaches can help players accept current roles while working toward future or more desired roles. Players will have a chance to discuss their roles, ask questions, and know what to expect. Reducing role uncertainty also helps to minimize competitive stress.
WHAT:
WHY:
STRESS MANAGEMENT
Stress management is a broad concept that encompasses many mental skills and strategies. When specifically managing the competitive stress of the postseason, coaches can reduce event uncertainty. Helping players know what to expect and what is within their control will alleviate some competitive stress.
WHAT TO OBSERVE IN AN OPPONENT( sample list)
• Formation
• Style of play
• Defensive press
• Key players
• Goalkeeping tendencies
• Restarts
• Free kicks
• Field conditions
HOW:( 1) Scout Opponent and( 2) Control the Controllables
In terms of competitive situational stress, there are two primary aspects to management:( 1) reduce event importance and( 2) reduce event uncertainty. At youth levels, coaches can effectively reduce importance by putting events in the proper context of a broader developmental picture. However, as age and competition levels increase, it is harder to reduce event importance. Post-season events are important to players, especially at higher levels. During post-season, coaches are encouraged to avoid over-emphasizing event importance. Coaches have more power to reduce uncertainty by preparing their players to compete against their opponents. Focus player attention on aspects of the game they can control versus on what is outside of their control.
SCOUT OPPONENT: There is nothing novel about scouting an opponent. However, focusing the scouting experience on reducing uncertainty builds a valuable mental skill set into the process. Teach players to analyze their opponents and relate that information to their own preparation. Knowing what to expect and rehearsing responses will minimize competitive stress. When players have their strategic options wellrehearsed, they are more likely to implement an effective strategy at the right time. A sample checklist is provided to guide players with the observation process. If players are aware of their opponents’ tendencies, they will be more ready to respond under pressure. Customize the scouting experience to enable mental preparation for each player.
CONTROL THE CONTROLLABLES: When I consult with teams, this is a favorite group activity with lasting results. Draw a large Venn diagram on a white board. Label one side“ can control” and the other side“ cannot control.” The overlap of the Venn is the“ sometimes can / sometimes cannot control.” Have players identify as many aspects of their game experience as they can( perhaps consider the 24 hours before through the final whistle). Discuss where each item belongs and why. For example, things like weather, playing surface, and referees go on the“ cannot control” side. Then things like sleep, hydration, and pregame routines go on the“ can control” side. It is helpful for team dynamics to really sort through the gray area together. Once the group has settled on what they can / cannot control, cross out the“ cannot control” side( then take a photo to share and reflect on). Shift player attention away from the“ cannot control” side and toward the“ can control” side. By eliminating what players cannot control from the forefront of their minds, players are able to reduce competitive stress and focus on what they can control. Continually remind players to“ control the controllables.” What I like most about this mental skill is that it is highly transferable to other life domains. continued on page 50
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