46 min

How To Create Better Decision Makers On The Football Pitch Demystifying Mental Toughness

    • Sport

Mental toughness development is all about helping people deal with pressure better.  In general, you’ll see sports psychology practitioners advocate psychological skills training to create better decision makers in this regards.   Our toolkit includes visualisation, cognitive restructuring, strategic goal setting, relaxation and sports hypnosis.
 
In today’s episode however I introduce a relatively new concept, cognitive skills training where Felix Lehmann, a UEFA B Certified Football Coach and co-founder of Cognigoals discusses how our brains can be trained systematically.  We discuss 3 main elements to cognitive skills training; authentic two-footedness, game intelligence and creativity.  Enjoy tuning in!
 
Key Learning Points:
When there's pressure on football players from opponents, with little space or time, players use their strong foot because it feels better, cognitive training seeks to change this. We help create new comfort zones for the weak foot with systematic training. Game intelligence in football describes the ability to act appropriately and generate optimal solutions in different game situations. If a football players cognitive flexibility has improved, as well as their inhibitory control and working memory, they will be able to perceive and process information a lot quicker. Self-awareness is critical for players, “as a coach I want football players to be able to observe themselves better.” Adaptability is a secret weapon for football players, every game situation is different, so you have to adapt the best that you can.  Therefore, cognitive training focuses on this where exercises and patterns that we use change regularly. Connect with Felix Lehmann
Felix Lehmann on LinkedIn
Felix Lehmann on X
COGNIGOALS Website
Connect with David Charlton
Sign up to The X-FACTOR  regular emails helping football and soccer players to get the most from their talent 
Join David @ The Sports Psychology Hub
Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn
Check out our library of content supporting football and soccer players and coaches
Relevant Soccer Related Podcast Episodes
Ep064: Edu Rubio – How to Support Young Footballers
Ep146: John Nassoori – What Is The Role Of A Sports Psychologist In Football?
Ep151: Compilation - Football Psychology: 50 Ways You Can Improve Your Performance
Ep188: Gary Curneen –  Helping Soccer Coaches Reflect On Their Approach #BITESIZE
Ep193: Dan Abrahams – How to Help Footballers Get Out Of Their Own Way #BITESIZE
Other Valuable Soccer or Football Resources 
Goalkeeping Psychology | Mental Skills for Goalkeepers 
Soccer Psychology | Mental Skills for Football
Youth Sports Psychology | Mental Skills Training for Kids and Parents
Frequently Asked Questions about Football or Soccer Psychology
Frequently Asked Questions about Goalkeeping Psychology

Mental toughness development is all about helping people deal with pressure better.  In general, you’ll see sports psychology practitioners advocate psychological skills training to create better decision makers in this regards.   Our toolkit includes visualisation, cognitive restructuring, strategic goal setting, relaxation and sports hypnosis.
 
In today’s episode however I introduce a relatively new concept, cognitive skills training where Felix Lehmann, a UEFA B Certified Football Coach and co-founder of Cognigoals discusses how our brains can be trained systematically.  We discuss 3 main elements to cognitive skills training; authentic two-footedness, game intelligence and creativity.  Enjoy tuning in!
 
Key Learning Points:
When there's pressure on football players from opponents, with little space or time, players use their strong foot because it feels better, cognitive training seeks to change this. We help create new comfort zones for the weak foot with systematic training. Game intelligence in football describes the ability to act appropriately and generate optimal solutions in different game situations. If a football players cognitive flexibility has improved, as well as their inhibitory control and working memory, they will be able to perceive and process information a lot quicker. Self-awareness is critical for players, “as a coach I want football players to be able to observe themselves better.” Adaptability is a secret weapon for football players, every game situation is different, so you have to adapt the best that you can.  Therefore, cognitive training focuses on this where exercises and patterns that we use change regularly. Connect with Felix Lehmann
Felix Lehmann on LinkedIn
Felix Lehmann on X
COGNIGOALS Website
Connect with David Charlton
Sign up to The X-FACTOR  regular emails helping football and soccer players to get the most from their talent 
Join David @ The Sports Psychology Hub
Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn
Check out our library of content supporting football and soccer players and coaches
Relevant Soccer Related Podcast Episodes
Ep064: Edu Rubio – How to Support Young Footballers
Ep146: John Nassoori – What Is The Role Of A Sports Psychologist In Football?
Ep151: Compilation - Football Psychology: 50 Ways You Can Improve Your Performance
Ep188: Gary Curneen –  Helping Soccer Coaches Reflect On Their Approach #BITESIZE
Ep193: Dan Abrahams – How to Help Footballers Get Out Of Their Own Way #BITESIZE
Other Valuable Soccer or Football Resources 
Goalkeeping Psychology | Mental Skills for Goalkeepers 
Soccer Psychology | Mental Skills for Football
Youth Sports Psychology | Mental Skills Training for Kids and Parents
Frequently Asked Questions about Football or Soccer Psychology
Frequently Asked Questions about Goalkeeping Psychology

46 min

Top Podcasts In Sport

The Rest Is Football
Goalhanger Podcasts
The Overlap with Gary Neville
Sky Bet
Let's Be Having You! The 00s Football Podcast
Let's Be Having You: The 00s Football Podcast
Stick to Football
The Overlap
That Peter Crouch Podcast
Tall or Nothing
The High Performance Podcast
High Performance