US Men’s Soccer

Yesterday morning I watched the Olympic soccer match between the US and the Netherlands. Over the years I have grown to really appreciate soccer and the skills required to be a good player. Before the game started, the Netherlands were heavy favorites to win. With literally no time left in the game, the US was leading 2-1. There was a penalty called against the US and the Netherlands were awarded a free kick right in front of the US net. For me, time seemed to slow down. The US team lined up to create a wall in an attempt to block the ball. The cameras focused on the face of the US players. I was shocked as I looked at their faces. Each US player’s face read as clear as a book. You could see the fear and doubt—I could not believe what I was seeing. I leaned over to my son Jimmy and said “Look at their faces. They have already let the ball in the net.” Seconds later, the US players’ thoughts became a reality. The Netherlands scored and tied the match. There was no overtime so the US had to settle for a tie. 

Legendary football coach Bear Bryant used to point to the football filed and say, “The game is not played on that field—it is played on a 6-inch field that lies from ear to ear.” Bear was wise beyond his years. The way we think is the way we play the game. I see this time and time again in athletes and in competition. Fear and doubt in the mind produces the outcome of the event. An athlete can train their mind to see self doubt and to see fear for what it is. They can learn to label destructive thoughts and emotions and let them go. They can train their mind to get into the zone and stay there. Without this training the majority of athletes will settle for inconsistent performance and unachieved potential. 

The next time you are watching a sports event, watch the players’ faces. You will start to recognize what is going to happen before it does. If an athlete became aware of their thoughts, they would be able to foresee the outcome as well. 

Johnny