Football: How To Overcome Mental Blocks To Improve Your Dribbling Skills

A common goal when supporting attacking football or soccer players, is overcoming mental blocks when dribbling with the ball in football. This is the topic David discusses in this week’s Demystifying Mental Toughness podcast. He goes on to share’s 3 tips to help attacking players overcome such issues with anxiety and confidence, tension, and the tendency to play it safe. 

Key Learning Points:

• Elite Professional footballers are not immune to mental blocks.
• Keeping a journal, noting down positive moments on the ball, how you think, feel and act can help you recreate the movements in your mind.
• Use your time online wisely, study the best dribblers such as Messi and Neymar and practice these skills to build muscle memory. 
• Visualise yourself ahead of matches and training to mentally prepare yourself for different situations to reduce the fear of failure. 
• Childlike feelings that link to playfulness and fun when playing can benefit you.

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Check out our library of content supporting football and soccer players and coaches 

Football and soccer blogs to browse:

• Football Psychology Tips: Where Do You Place Your Attention?

• Why Football Can Improve The Mental Toughness Of Your Children?

• Sports Coach Psychology Tips: How to Stay Calm as a Coach in Big Matches

• Soccer Psychology Tips: Why You Should Recognise The Power of Your Words

• 5 Coaching Tips to Develop Mentally Tough Footballers

Football and soccer podcasts to listen to:

• How To Help Footballers Ensure That They Keep Their Foot On The Pedal When Their Team Is Winning

• How To Help Footballers Play To Their Optimum In Big Matches

• How To Help Footballers Manage Their Expectations

• How To Help Footballers Who Struggle With Fear Of Failure

• How To Help Footballers Who Put Too Much Pressure On Themselves