PERFORM LIKE THE REAL YOU

Ever seen a player at the top level and wondered how they got there performing so poorly? There have been many players over the years that I saw one season and they looked world-beaters, but another they looked like they could hardly kick a ball.

Importantly, I’ve learned to disassociate a little from the performance to know they clearly had something about them to get there in the first place. When you see a player at the top level playing very sub-par, the chances are it is deeper than their ‘ability’. After a long time of thinking through this and having worked with a couple of players in that difficult stage, a few points have become clear about what is going on and how to overcome it.

The main issue tends to be over the top self-imposed pressure. When you note this it is easy to see the downward spiral players get themselves in… a couple of bad games can snowball into catastrophe without the right mindset. Each weekend adding pressure onto the cooker, wondering if bad games will ever end… frustration clouding judgement.

If you’re one of those players in a rut, the first fix is to adjust your view of each performance in training and matches. Rather than taking a bad game and thinking it defines you, recognise that a season is a series of 50 or so matches, with numerous series! When you have a bad game, run or even season, it does not define you. Each performance offers a chance to reflect on how to improve in future. You can just as easily reinvent yourself in the next match with your changing decisions.

That extends further into self-image. Be careful not to give yourself negative labels. “Loser”, “Poor at X”, “Not able anymore”. Those imply concrete affirmations about who you are. Effectively you speak it into existence because you stop ever trying to break down the barriers you’ve put round yourself. The reality is, even where you struggle, you can consistently chip away and open up a new side to yourself.

Lastly, don’t feel the need to force your game. Be smart and pick your moments to shine. Not every touch needs to make you stand out and furthermore, not every action has to be successful.