05: Grow Coach Newsletter

Soccer Coaching: Developing Confidence

Jan 25, 2024

A warm welcome from JustCoachMD. We are happy to have you on board.

Here is what to expect:

What is confidence? and what key factors affect it.
Coaching tips and action steps to develop confidence.
Session Share: Three Team Game.
Problem/Fix: Identify and fix a common error young players make.
Spotlight: How to coach Shielding.
Coach Project: Take some action to improve player confidence.

‘‘ The most beautiful thing you can wear is confidence.’’

(Blake, L)

What Is Confidence?

Confidence is a psychological state characterized by a belief in the ability to succeed or perform well in a particular situation. It involves trusting your skills, knowledge, and judgment. This can lead to a positive outlook and a willingness to take on challenges.

Different types of confidence::

Self-Efficacy: This is the belief in your ability to execute specific tasks or achieve particular goals. It’s task-specific confidence. For example, if a coach asks a player to use wall passing to beat opponents, they will have a go immediately.

Self-Esteem: This is a broader sense of confidence and self-worth. It involves the performer’s opinion of themself. Do they have a positive outlook or do they swing to the negative side of things? Self-esteem can influence overall confidence in all areas of the game.

Social Confidence: This pertains to confidence in social situations, including interactions with others, mixing with teammates, speaking with coaches, asking questions, and building relationships.

Physical Confidence: This relates to confidence in one’s physical abilities and appearance, often significant in sports and fitness activities. This relates to the strengths of each player. Are they strong, quick, agile, or stamina-based players? This can influence positions and willingness to try new things.

10 Factors That Affect Player Confidence?

It’s important to note from a player's perspective the things that can affect the different types of confidence. Words, actions, and adversity often challenge the level of confidence in a player. Here are a few more factors to be mindful of when coaching.

Past Success and Failure: Previous experiences, particularly successes, can enhance confidence, while failures may have the opposite effect. Learning from both is crucial. Do your sessions allow for sufficient success and failure? Confidence will quickly waiver if the challenge is too much or too soon.

Feedback and Recognition: Positive feedback and recognition for achievements contribute to increased confidence. Conversely, harsh criticism can undermine it. Are you catching your players performing well? and do you tell them?

Preparation: Feeling well-prepared for a task or situation positively impacts confidence. Adequate training and practice build a foundation for self-assurance. Do the sessions that you deliver, look like the game that the players play? If not some change may be required.

Support System: Having a supportive network, whether it’s family, friends, or teammates, can significantly boost confidence. When things get tough who do the players lean on? Are you there for them when they need you?

Comparisons: Constantly comparing oneself to others, especially in a negative light, can erode confidence. Emphasizing personal progress over external comparisons is vital. How often do you target individuals to give them a challenge for the session? (Remind the player, that it is them vs. them.

Mindset: A growth mindset, where challenges are viewed as opportunities for growth rather than insurmountable obstacles, fosters confidence. Please read our article on growth mindset here.

Physical and Mental Well-being: Health plays a role in confidence. A lack of sleep, poor nutrition, or high-stress levels can negatively impact one’s perception of their abilities. Encourage players to lead healthy lifestyles, eat well, rest well, and educate them if possible.

Role Models and Inspirations: Positive role models or sources of inspiration can elevate confidence by showcasing what is possible through hard work and determination. Tip, if role models can be linked to players 1-2 age groups/levels above the player, this can show what’s possible.

Environment: A supportive and encouraging environment promotes confidence, whereas a negative or hostile atmosphere can diminish it. Give the players permission to try things and experiment, without it they can lack creativity.

Goal Setting: Clear and realistic goal-setting provides a roadmap for success, contributing to a sense of direction and confidence. Use process goals to give players daily actions that propel them forward.

Understanding and addressing these factors can help individuals, in building and maintaining a healthy level of confidence in various aspects of their lives.

‘‘ Don’t watch the clock; do what it does. Keep going.’’

(Levenson, S)

How Can We Apply This Logic to Aid Player Development?

Positive Reinforcement:

Regularly praise players for their efforts and achievements during training sessions and matches. Focus on specific actions they perform well to boost their confidence. Tip: Don’t just shout Well done to a player, say their name, and tell them what you liked. '‘Kelly, I loved the way you won back the ball’’

Individualized Feedback:

Provide constructive feedback tailored to each player’s strengths and areas for improvement. This personal touch can enhance their belief in their abilities. Tip: provide details and actions that help the player to move forward.

Competitive Activities:

Design training activities that challenge players in a competitive yet supportive environment. Success in these situations contributes to increased self-assurance. Tip: Add a small competition to each activity that you deliver (first to score X goals, lock-in points, quickest time).

Celebrate Effort, Not Just Outcomes:

Emphasize the importance of hard work and effort, regardless of the outcome. This fosters a growth mindset and reinforces the idea that improvement is a continuous process. Tip: Catch players putting in effort and praise them for it.

Role Modelling:

Showcase examples of successful players who overcame challenges or setbacks. This can inspire players and demonstrate that confidence can be built over time. Tip: Tell players stories about others who have overcome barriers and been successful. Capture small wins for players and tell them about it.

Progressive Challenges:

Gradually increase the difficulty of drills and exercises as players improve. Small, achievable challenges build confidence and encourage players to push their limits. Tip: Link the challenges to technical skills, for example using a no-touch turn to be facing forward.

Boosting Confidence, Examples…

Individualized Positive Feedback: Coach: “Great job James! Your positioning and decision-making were spot-on when that defender approached you. Keep it up.
Recognition of Effort: Coach: “I noticed how hard you’ve been working in training. Your dedication is making a difference, and you are making positive progress.”
Highlighting Personal Improvement: Coach: “I’ve noticed your improvement in [1v1 attacking]. Your dedication to self-improvement is amazing. Keep focusing on your development.”
Celebrating Team Achievements: Coach: “Our recent performances are a result of each player’s contribution. Your role in [keeping possession] was crucial. Brilliant work everyone.”
Showcasing Successful Role Models: Coach: “Watch this clip of [Joe from the age group above]. They faced similar challenges to us, but look at where they are now. You also have the potential to achieve this level of performance.”

A Final Note

COACHES, use this information to inspire your player’s performance. Develop your self-awareness of the factors that affect confidence. Understand player’s needs and provide frequent feedback to reinforce key messages. Shift the player’s focus from worrying about things they cannot control to specific tasks that move them forward.

Develop a strong network of support around each player. Build a challenging but rewarding environment that encourages, growth, effort, and application.

Instil confidence by recognizing effort, giving feedback, providing inspirational role models, and celebrating success.

‘‘You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face.’’
(Roosevelt, E)

Session Share:

3 Team Possession- Build Up Wide or Central

Aim:

Keep possession in a 4v2 moment and react quickly to losses of possession.

Set-Up:

3 x 10 (L) by 10 (W) squares with 4 players in each box and 3 mini goals spread outside the playing area.
3 Teams of 4 players: Red, Blue, Blacks.
The team in possession has all of its players in the square, the defenders consist of one player from each of the other two colors, so if Red has possession, Blue and Blacks send in one defender each.

How to Play:

The team in possession scores each time they connect 5 passes. The other two teams send in one player to defend. The defenders must win the ball, escape the square, and score on a mini goal.
When a player wins the ball and scores in a mini goal they earn possession for their square.
If a team connects 10 passes the defenders can be switched to maintain the intensity, however the pass count continues.

Problem: Pressing then Not Slowing Down!!!

Are your players applying pressure to opponents, only to be taken out of the game?

The defender is aggressive and closes the opponent down quickly, they get close, only for the attacker to take them out of the game in one touch. The defenders are keen and spot the right time to press. The problem is they are not slowing themselves down once they get there.

The result, your press on the ball is broken quickly and another player has to leave their position to apply another round of pressure on the ball carrier. The footwork to slow down is missing.

Look out for this next time you are coaching!!!

Fix: Defensive Footwork!!

If this is something you see, the solution is encouraging the player to start slowing down as they arrive at the ball carrier. The player should check for the following:

Tips:

Close Down: Get to the ball quickly (press down the line of the ball).
Slow Down: Take up a slightly staggered foot position (Angle run to force the direction of play).
Show Down: Edge closer and take a stab at the ball (Win it back, or force play for the next pressing player).
The slow-down element requires the pressing player to:
Block any passes to players behind them. (Angle of the run, big body barrier). Or make the next pass predictable.
Stop the progress of the ball carrier (stagger the foot position so they can push off both sides if the attacker shifts the ball).
Step across or into the attacker to steal the ball if the attacker’s first touch beats the pressuring defender.

Topic: Shielding!!

Why is it important:

Maintain Possession: Shielding the ball helps players retain control, preventing opponents from easily taking it away.
Create Space: By shielding, players can create room for themselves and their teammates, enabling better-passing options.
Protect the Ball: It acts as a defensive mechanism, preventing opponents from making successful tackles and interceptions.
Control Game Pace: Players can dictate the game's tempo by shielding, and influencing when and how attacks or build-ups occur.

How to coach it:

Body as a Barrier: The player must deal with the defender before the ball arrives by stepping into the opponent. They can either use their arm and push it into the defender’s body, Or use their forearm, again to push into the defender’s body. This keeps the distance between the defender and the ball.
Stance: Take up a wide staggered stance so it becomes harder for the defender to move the attacker. The front foot can be used to shift the ball and the back foot used as a pivot to help the attacker escape.
Roll: Encourage the attacker to roll or pivot depending on which side the defender tries to win the ball. Shielding aims to secure the ball so rolling the defender should provide additional options to link up.
Exit: The player shielding should be constantly scanning for an exit, the longer they stay in one place the more condensed the space becomes. The action should happen quickly.

Coach Project: Confidence Restoration

Objective: Use the Confidence Restoration Framework:

Task: Think about the needs of the players you have, and take action by implementing 1-2 of the suggested methods below with them.

Select a method.
Choose a player/players to work with.
Personalize the examples, so they fit their needs.
Implement and monitor.

Power Intent Statements (Self-Talk):

Task: Remind yourself of your intent and how you can make positive contributions.

Action: Replace negative thoughts with affirmations about your skills and capabilities.

Examples: Intensity is my Identity, and Precision in Every Pass, With each touch I increase my performance.

Focus on Fundamentals:

Task: Simplify your approach and focus on basic techniques.

Action: Execute simple passes, controlled touches, and other fundamental skills to regain a sense of control.

Example: Get the player to go back to basics and get the reps in, choose simple tasks, and repeat them

Breathing Exercises:

Task: Take a moment to engage in controlled breathing.

Action: Inhale deeply, hold briefly, then exhale slowly. This helps calm nerves and refocus the mind. Aim for 2-3 rounds,

Example: When mistakes or adversity gets the better of the player encourage them to reset with this powerful breath.

Positive Body Language:

Task: Adjust your body language to reflect confidence.

Action: Stand tall, maintain eye contact, and carry yourself with assurance to project confidence to teammates and opponents.

Example: Encourage the player to demonstrate positive body language in all moments of the game.

Learn from Mistakes:

Task: See setbacks as opportunities for improvement.

Action: Analyze any mistakes objectively, focusing on learning and growth rather than dwelling on errors.

Example: Following any mistake, remind yourself of the correct action, or ask a coach if you are unsure what to do.

Progressive Challenges:

Task: Gradually increase the difficulty of the challenges you provide a player.

Action: Start with simple tasks and progressively engage in more demanding actions as confidence rebuilds. Encourage the player to level up.

Example: Level 1: Get on the ball 3 times in the next 5 minutes and keep possession, Level 2: Repeat level 1 but try to pass forwards, Level 3: Repeat level 2 but make a forward run after the pass.

In Summary

The framework aims to guide coaches in assisting players who may be experiencing a dip in confidence. Utilize the methods provided and personalize them to meet the needs of the performers.

Do not be too precious over the amount of time it might take to see an improvement. It could happen instantly or it might take weeks. For some, it may not happen at all. The key is that you have provided some help and support.

Please feel free to get in touch or share your ideas, actions, and interventions. We would love to hear from you. If you have any questions, post them here; we will do our best to answer them.