THE PSYCHOLOGICAL DEMANDS OF ELITE SOCCER

David Platt

Four Cornerstones ofthe Elite Player:

Physical Fitness Technique

Tactics Mental Toughness

Success starts in the Mind!

Commitment

Confidence Control

Concentration Communication

1.0 COMMITMENT / STANDARDS

1.1 Attitude / Mentality1.2 Effort and Work-rate

1.3 Discipline1.4 Doing the best you can possibly do

1.5 Professionalism / Preparation1.6 Being competitive / Will to win

1.7 Courage / Bravery1.8 Practicing Realistically

1.9 Desire1.10 Challenging Yourself

1.11 Setting high standards1.12 Having good physical condition to gain the mental ‘edge’

1.13 Following the Liverpool way of doing things1.14 Punctuality

1.15 Being an ambassador for the club1.16 Dedication

2.0 CONCENTRATION 2.1 Fully focusing on what you’re doing / Not switching off

2.2 Recovering mentally2.3 Not being distracted

2.4 Starting the game well2.5 Intensity / tempo of training

2.6 Decision making2.7 Awareness

2.8 Forgetting about mistakes immediately2.9 Forgetting about problems in your life while playing

2.10 Switching between attacking and defensive mid-sets2.11 Not arguing

2.12 Finishing teams off 2.13 Subs being ready to go on

2.14 Using Imagery

3.0 COMMUNICATION / TEAMSHIP

3.1 Being ‘close’3.2 Helping team-mates

3.3 Knowing your job / role in the team and carrying it out3.4 Creating the practice / work atmosphere

3.5 Communication3.6 Trust, honesty and reliability

3.7 Respect for others3.8 Pride (in the football club / academy)3.9 Support of adults, family and friends

3.10 Leadership (Being a positive influence on team-mates / Driving others on, encouraging and asking for

more)3.11 Unselfishness / We not me attitude

4.0 CONFIDENCE

4.1 Positive thinking

4.2 Belief (in yourself and others)

4.3 Enjoying attention

4.4 Body language

4.5 Taking responsibility

4.6 Expressing yourself / being creative

4.7 Not being over or under confident

5.0 CONTROL

5.1 Being in control of your emotions5.2 Not getting frustrated, continuing to play

your game5.3 Handling and reacting to mistakes and

setbacks5.4 Staying composed under pressure

5.5 Handling the expectations and pressures of being a professional footballer

5.6 Coping with unfamiliar experiences5.7 Dealing with criticism

5.8 Being aggressive when defending 1v1 or when coming for crosses as a keeper

5.9 Staying down to earth5.10 Not playing the occasion / just another

game mentality

World 11 Task

CannavaroControl

RonaldoConfidence

PuyolCommitment

PirloControl

GerrardConcentration

KakaConfidence

MessiConfidence

Van NistelrooyCommitment

TorresCommitment

TerryCommunication

CechConcentration

Questions?!!