Sports Psychology

[DeadliftAlex]

Anyone that plays sports or anything have any tips for overcoming inexplicable dips in form?

I play soccer and in the past month (3 matches and countless training sessions) I have not been performing well at all. Misplaced passes, can't control the ball properly, ball getting stuck under my feet, can't seem to take on players anymore, everything that can go wrong seems like it does. It doesn't help that I'm being played out of position but I have played a few games there before and I did well. Today I was taken off so that didn't help my confidence at all and I've probably lost my place in the team.

Today I consciously didn't put any pressure on myself but deep down I probably did. I've heard about visualisation but does that really help?

So anyone who has any tips that worked for them please share, this is getting me depressed.

[LiftingNerd]

I would always just spend more time on the ball when things went south. Where did he have you and where did he move you to?

[DeadliftAlex]

Yeah I was planning on doing more ball work but that means I'll probably have to stop lifting for a while.

I'm mainly a winger or a midfielder but I've been playing at right or left fullback. I'm not a defensive player and the urge to run down the wing gets to me so I leave too much space at the back. I guess I don't feel comfortable when there's no one behind me to cover if I mess up so I put too much pressure on not giving the ball away and my movements become too slow. Like I know what I want to do but my body doesn't react fast enough.

I guess i might give this visualisation thing a go but I'm skeptical of such techniques

[Sylvor]

I played in goal from when I was about 5 to the age of 22. I haven't played football(soccer) in 4 years now.

However some things that may help.

Simplify your game, don't try and be fancy just do what has to be done. My motto for my defenders was that getting the ball up and out is always much better than getting it stripped off of you trying to beat someone. Simple safe.
Talk to your team a lot, especially in a new position. Ask the players close to you how they like to play and how you can fit into your style.
And being my number one thing to tell a defender, unless you can grab the guys balls you are not marking him.
Also when taking on an attacker try and watch their stomach and not the foot or head work. It is very hard for someone to fake you out with the middle of their body.

[LiftingNerd]

I had to make the same move when I played (from left mid to center back). The one thing that always gave me confidence when I switched was making the right decision. Keeping it simple when necessary and going from broke when it was smart to do so. Start with the small things and work your way up. Ask your coach if he has specific tasks he wants you to accomplish each game and focus on those.

[DeadliftAlex]

Thanks for the tips fellas. My main problem is I don't really want to play in that position and it gets worse when I make a mistake. I'll just have to learn to enjoy it because when I do have a good game it doesn't matter where I play.

[Rugger]

Thanks for the tips fellas. My main problem is I don't really want to play in that position and it gets worse when I make a mistake. I'll just have to learn to enjoy it because when I do have a good game it doesn't matter where I play.

It honestly sounds like you were just sketched out by being at a different place on the field. You'll get used to it, you just need to relearn your "positional intelligence," and that just takes time at the position. Stressing about getting cut will only make things worse, so you just need to let it go when you're on the field. Chances are that if they have you playing out of position, it's because the coach thinks that you've got potential there, or doesn't have anyone else to fill the spot as well as you would.

I played outside back during my soccer days, and I never really had any ball skills or finesse, but I made up for it with physicality. Don't be afraid to get aggressive, and look for any opportunity to lay a hit down on a winger. Intimidation, mind games, and dirty play go a long way over the long run. Do you know how to throw a nut shot when swimming someone from behind?

I just realized that I've forgotten most of the bullshit dirty play that the defensive players on our team used to use, how depressing.

[DeadliftAlex]

It honestly sounds like you were just sketched out by being at a different place on the field. You'll get used to it, you just need to relearn your "positional intelligence," and that just takes time at the position. Stressing about getting cut will only make things worse, so you just need to let it go when you're on the field. Chances are that if they have you playing out of position, it's because the coach thinks that you've got potential there, or doesn't have anyone else to fill the spot as well as you would.

I played outside back during my soccer days, and I never really had any ball skills or finesse, but I made up for it with physicality. Don't be afraid to get aggressive, and look for any opportunity to lay a hit down on a winger. Intimidation, mind games, and dirty play go a long way over the long run. Do you know how to throw a nut shot when swimming someone from behind?

I just realized that I've forgotten most of the bullshit dirty play that the defensive players on our team used to use, how depressing.

You're first paragraph was definitely spot on.
Played this past weekend, wasn't dropped, and played my best game in my new position yet. First half I just did everything simple, made a few mistakes but didn't let it get to me. Second half I defended well, attacked and the ball wasn't getting stuck under my feet like before. I went into this game with the mentality that I didn't have anything to prove and I didn't even think about it, so I didn't have any pressure on my back. Plus taking on players and beating them boosts your confidence too.

Now aware me of this nut shot Sounds interesting, I'm not a dirty player but you never know when someone might deserve it.