Soccer is an incredible team game that demands a mix of speed, endurance, and skill. As players rise the ranks, the mental game becomes more and more important.

Those that consistently play with confidence, trust their training, and relentlessly play their game have a significant competitive advantage.

But many players get caught in the fear mindset – afraid to make mistakes. They end up tentative with the ball, overthinking key decisions, and doubting their abilities.

We work with Soccer Players to improve their mental game and consistently show up in an attack mindset. Here are the most common situations we help Soccer Players with:

The Problem

They make a turnover or giveaway, the coach gets upset, they start to fear mistakes, play too safe, start hesitating or panicking with the ball, and stop having the impact on the game that they can. This often starts to decrease a players playing time or starts happening because they are not getting the playing time they want. In addition, they struggle to decide whether to shoot or pass, to make a move or hold up the play, to make a tackle or get into position. These lead to less confidence and more indecision.


How We Help

We help them go from a fear mindset to an attack mindset. We give them the tools and perspective to overcome the fear, trust their training, and impose their will on the game. Instead of being caught up in trying to be perfect and impress their coach, scouts or teammates, we help them focus on what they can control, see mistakes as learning opportunities, and start playing with unshakeable self-confidence. Regardless of the current amount of playing time, they now have the tools and the mindset to go out and make the most out of the minutes they get. Which is the best way to earn more playing time. Furthermore, we help them to stop trying to be perfect and over analyzing every decision. Instead, we get them to focus on being aware and doing what they feel is best. They trust their training and follow their instincts.

The Problem

Defence will often get afraid to get beat and play too far back. Their gaps are off and this actually makes it harder to play good defence. They give up space too easily, the opponents are able to generate more shots, and they are often left with no speed so they get beat more in 1on1 situations.

How We Help

We help them push their comfort zone so they no longer fear getting beat. Instead of sitting back they push the pace, have tighter gaps, and shut down plays earlier. They also develop a more assertive and attack mindset that is fierce and embraces the physical battles. They no longer play passive or timid, but learn how to effectively play with an edge.

Derailed by Goals Against

  • The Problem
    Many goalies can get unravelled by one ‘weak’ goal against, a series of goals in short amount of time, or too many goals against in a game. By holding on to past results they get into their own head and stop performing at their capabilities. Which results in more mistakes and goals against. Some goalies beat themselves up while others at times blame their teammates (at least in their own head). Regardless, they all suffer from tying their confidence to the results instead of their actually capabilities.
  • How We Help
    We help them to find the balance of caring about their performance while being able to accept the results, learning from them, and keep moving forward. We help them develop a mindset that lets go of perfection but still holds oneself to ever raising standards of execution. This way they are now able to bounce back after goal against and stay focused on what they can control.

Nervous Nellies

  • The Problem
    A lot of goalies feel the nerves before the game even starts. They put unrealistic pressures on themselves to be perfect. Many goalies also feel like they need to have a good start to the game to build confidence. Which is clearly problematic cause that means they are not starting the game with confidence and are now less likely to have a good start.
    Instead of channeling their nerves, their nerves are getting the best of them and they make more unforced errors, dropped balls, and let in too many ‘weak’ goals.
  • How We Help
    We help them channel their nerves, manage their expectations, and give them the perspective to have calm & confident starts. Nerves are just a form of energy that they need to learn to embrace and channel toward the process. Having high expectations for results is not inherently bad but they need to be able to manage those expectations instead of causing unrealistic goals and unnecessary pressure. The bottom line is the new mental state combined with the fundamental tools and strategies helps them to consistently start games off calm and confident.

At CEP, our purpose is to help you achieve Consistent Elite Performance.

In order to do that, you need to spend more time in the ZONE.

The problem is, like most soccer players, you spend too much time in your own head.

This can be frustrating and discouraging because you have put in all this work to develop your physical abilities, but your mindset is causing you to underperform.