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When they make the jump from the youth division to adult football, even the most talented players falter and ultimately fail to reach the top professional leagues. Mental coach Wolfgang Seidl reports on the obstacles in his new column and provides helpful tips on how to overcome these challenges.
Philipp Maybach (born: December 14, 2007 in Vienna) is considered a great talent at Wiener Austria and made his Bundesliga debut on August 18 in the away game in Hartberg (1:1). At 16 years, 8 months and 4 days, the ÖFB U18 team player is the youngest player for the Violets in FAK history in the Bundesliga. The defensive midfielder made four more appearances this fall under head coach Stephan Helm, including three in the starting lineup. With Maybach there were four wins and one draw for the violets.
Internal competition
In my daily work with footballers, I get to know the obstacles that young players have to face. In the youth divisions, the players grow in a safe environment, but then they immerse themselves in adult football and are not sufficiently prepared for it. In today’s article I would like to address the biggest challenges and make some helpful suggestions:
Even if football is always described as a team sport, the internal competition should not be underestimated. Young players are often seen as rivals by the “old hands” who want to challenge them for the usual spot. For many successful people, it is about their future contract, their life and ultimately their identity. It is not uncommon for them to let the boys die stupidly during training or to beat them badly. We should prepare the boys for that, make them aware of how things work and that these rough practices are part of football. Those who can classify this source find it easier to deal with.
In terms of mental work, I suggest that young players become aware of their strengths and use them more in training. I see again and again that players in difficult situations focus too much on their weaknesses, become negative and therefore cannot reach their full potential. An effective tool in cognitive coaching is working with self-talk management. Here players will learn to strengthen themselves again using helpful internal guidance and engage in internal competition.
At SK Rapid, head coach Robert Klauß always gives young talents a chance. Like up-and-coming striker Nikolaus Wurmbrand (pictured). The 18-year-old Viennese made six Bundesliga appearances for the professionals this autumn (five substitutes) and was even in the starting line-up on his debut when the two-footed striker scored an instant goal in the first visit in the 1-. Draw 1 in Wolfsberg on September 14.
Lack of communication from trainers
Not all trainees have the communication and leadership skills they should expect. Young players especially suffer from this because they often do not know what the coach expects from them.
In my coaching sessions, I encourage young players to approach their coaches and ask for feedback. This requires confidence and good preparation for the interview. I note again that trainers give very superficial answers. My suggestion to the guys is to ask specific questions and not be pressed by superficial answers. Drill down and get to the details. After such a conversation, the player should have clarity and know where and how they can work on certain topics.
A consistently successful team and no reason for changes
Young players often report that they shine with a good performance in training, but are not yet in the team for the next game. The reason is usually a successful run with the team, where the coach does not see much reason for changes. This can lead to motivational problems for young players.
My recommendation for players is to set daily training goals and challenges. This helps them to keep their motivation high. It is also essential that they keep their long-term goals in mind and record their progress after each training session. Preferably in a training diary where you write down your daily training events. This also helps to keep self-confidence high despite their low self-esteem.
Lack of resolution in training
Some bad habits and criticism from the coach make players act with too much fear. In case they make mistakes and cannot participate in the next game. This is a vicious cycle that players will struggle to get out of. They become rigid and lose their looseness and ease in the game.
In this area I give different mental tools to players so that they can regain their lightness. Breathing techniques are a powerful tool with which players learn to manage the often too high level of tension and refocus on the important things. Even the best athletes like LeBron James or Cristiano Ronaldo consciously use their breath in a wide range of situations. I also use the biofeedback technique to show you how conscious breathing affects your inner state and how you can get back to your optimal performance zone through greater coherence.
Even if the path to adult football and subsequently to professional level is not always easy, players can have a significant impact on their personal development through regular mental work with professional coaches and sports psychologists.
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Wolfgang Seidlis an independent academic mind coach with practice in Styria and Vienna. As a coach, he looks after athletes, people suffering from stress, teams and companies. The focus of his work in football, on the one hand, is the psychological support of players and coaches as well as the development and advice of the teams. |
MANAGER
Wolfgang Seidl, MBA
An academic mind coach
Qualified team developer
HeartMath® Coach
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www.mana4you.at
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Photo credit: Anne-Sophie Danner-Fellinger and GEPA-ADMIRAL
2024-11-30 20:05:00
#COLUMN #rocky #road #youth #player #professional #football
This article excerpt discusses the challenges young footballers face when transitioning from youth to professional leagues.
**Key obstacles highlighted are:**
* **Intense Internal Competition:** Young players are often seen as threats by established players, leading to rough treatment and a challenging learning surroundings.
* **Lack of Communication from Trainers:** Young players may not receive adequate feedback and guidance from coaches, hindering their progress.
* **Difficulty Breaking into Prosperous Teams:** If a team is consistently performing well, chances for young players to get game time are limited even if they perform well in training.
**Tips offered to overcome these challenges:**
* **Mental Fortitude:** Be prepared for the competitive environment, recognize strengths, focus on positive self-talk, and develop resilience
* **Proactive Communication:** Approach coaches, ask specific questions for detailed feedback, and don’t accept vague answers.
* **Persistent Effort:** Continuously work on improving weaknesses identified by coaches, show dedication even when game time is limited.
The article emphasizes the need for mental and emotional readiness alongside physical talent for young footballers to succeed in the demanding world of professional football. It encourages proactive engagement with coaches and a self-aware approach to overcome challenges.
