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– at a are outside their control. At Coaching Tips: that sameleast fortheytime –ignoring things they have the the time, are power to Handling Difficult change. learn to deal with these elements Helping a team successfully rests, first, on modeling – on exposing team members to athletes and coaches who possess the Situations desired traits and/or abilities. Beyond consistent o play successfully on a championship level, soccer players must learn to handle several "difficult situations." These situations – each natural elements of the game of soccer – represent experiences of stress, pressure, and challenge for athletes and teams. These situations also represent key learning opportunities for developing soccer players. T How do your players handle it: * when they are ahead early in the game? * when they are behind early in the game? * when the game stays in a tie? * when someone on the other team is cheating? * when the officiating is poor? * when a teammate loses his/her temper? * when they are afraid they might lose? * when the momentum of the game shifts strongly against them? * when they get off to a very slow start? When players struggle in these situations, it is usually because they have allowed themselves to focus on externals, on things in their environment, or on focusing on improving their own performance. They have allowed their attention to shift to elements of the game modeling, there are seven things that coaches can do to help players learn to deal effectively with difficult situations. 1. Teach the team where to focus. A player can aim his or her mind, much as a person can aim a gun. Focus takes self-discipline, practice, and a knowledge of where and when to aim. Younger or inexperienced players do not know how to do this. 2. Develop self-confidence rooted in practice. Players develop true self-confidence when they have practiced to the point that they understand and accept their own ability to handle certain situations. Actual experience in play also helps. "We have practiced this. We can handle this." Selfconfidence almost creates a natural calm and focus on its own. times of crisis, to look within first. 5. Develop resilience. Players and teams need the ability to "bounce back" from the setbacks they will almost inevitably face playing soccer. They need an attitude of "We will not be overcome." As a friend of mine says, "I'm never down. I'm either up, or I'm getting up!" Players need this attitude in order to win consistently. 6. Develop a sense of humor. Humor, in the right doses and at the right time, can do wonders to decrease stress. Winning players and teams have learned how to laugh at themselves and at their situations, when appropriate. 7. Reinforce values. When coaches help athletes focus on the values that are central to the team's cohesion and success, those coaches are simultaneously inviting players to focus away from distractions. 3. Develop a team concept. Teach players to rely on one another and to draw strength from one another. Work with your players and reinforce their practice so that they think and act and work "team." Think. Reflect. Look at the ways your players are choosing to respond to "difficult situations." Then develop a plan for helping them develop the character traits and skills to be more effective in this area of their play. As you do so, you will help your players prepare, not only for the difficult situations they will face in soccer, but for the difficult situations they will face in life. 4. Develop self-discipline that focuses on character and performance – and not on environment. Train your players, when they hit Dr. Jim Rimmer is the Director of the Leadership Institute, at Family First Sports Park, Erie, PA. Family First hosted USIndoor's the 2002 Facility Operators' Conference, at SUBSCRIBE TO GOAL INDOOR First Name _________________________ _____________________________ M/F_______ Age _______ Last Name E-Mail Address _________________________ Street Address ____________________________________ Telephone ________ City __________________________ State _______ Code __________-_______ Zip/Postal PLEASESELECTTHE OPTION THAT BEST CHARACTERIZESYOURSELF: I am a: Player J Parent J Fan J Referee J Sponsor J Administrator J O CCUPATION AND SCHOOL /BUSINESSN AME : _________________________, _____________________ N AME OF I NDOOR FACILITYIESA TTENDED : / _____________________________________________ FAVORITE PRO T EAM OR LEAGUE: ______________________________________________________ G O A L In d o o r • Dec.-Jan. 2002 • 13

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