Lack of Performance

by Soccer4Life

The other day I was outside shooting on the goal with my younger brother and I was practicing with my none dominate foot (left foot) and I was doing pretty good it was really surprising! Then my neighbors came out and started to watch, suddenly my performance was terrible; my left foot was really bad!

Another time I was trying to learn how to kick a soccer ball like Cristiano Ronaldo (Got help from your sit, thanks!) and after a while my shoot started to look similar to Ronaldo's but then when I asked my dad to come out and watch I couldn’t even get the ball in the air!

I was just wondering why this is happening, because I’m comfortable performing in front of my neighbors and family but I can’t perform well? It might be because I think I need to prove how good I am but I’m not sure.

Last question is that I have soccer tryouts for my school in one month. Last year I tried out and didn’t make the team. This year I really want to make the team and varsity. Last year’s tryouts were also unfair because the coach was a teacher and he picked everyone from his class on the team.

I really want to make the team and have been working really hard! I have been doing sprints, lifting weights and juggling but the only problem is that it’s been snowing and raining a lot and I can’t get out messing around with the soccer ball. Tryouts are soon and I feel like I’m not trying hard enough (I’m very hard on myself).

Is there anything you recommend about tryouts and what to do if you can’t get outside to play? I would appreciate if you get back to me as soon as possible as tryouts are soon. I love this site and I’m so sorry for the long message!! Thanks!!!

THE ANSWER

Hello, I recognize your fear as this is pretty common among soccer players. You see, performing under pressure and without it is 2 different things. This is why professional soccer players are so successful. They are able to handle their technical skills with enormous pressure. My advice to you is to try to relax as much as possible and stop thinking about that there are people around watching you play.

The only thing I can recommend you when it comes to your tryouts is to try to play without fear and enjoy your time on the field. Trust me, the more nervous you are the harder it will be to perform well. Just relax and enjoy your time. You are not mentioning which position you are playing at but I am sure that you would benefit from reading my soccer book about various soccer positions and their secrets. Wish you all the best with your tryouts.

/Mirsad