Mistakes on The Soccer Field

by Ben
(Sidney, Australia)

When I think back on my soccer career I really regret one thing; I should had more fun on the soccer field. No, I don’t mean that I should have act like a clown! Instead, I should have enjoyed my time on the field more!

Instead of doing that I was usually running around while hiding myself from the ball because I was afraid of making mistakes. I did that and today I really regret it. Who knows, if I was not so afraid of making mistakes I might even had played for some great soccer club.

Today, I am coaching a group of youth players and before every game I repeat several times that they should have fun on the soccer field and that they should not be afraid of making mistakes. I also tell them that all players make mistakes and no player in the world is able to play a game without making one single mistake because it is impossible.

Sure, you may think that these players exist but I can ensure you that no player in the world is able to play a whole soccer game without making one single mistake. Playing soccer without making mistakes is like becoming a formula 1 driver without even knowing how to drive :-)

You see, soccer is just a game; it is not a fight about life and death. You really need to realize that especially if you are afraid of making mistakes. The more afraid you are the worse it will be cause you will not learn to have fun.

Instead, you will just run around and think "I can’t afford to make any mistakes, because if I do then…" The last words can mean a lot of things. For example, you may think that your teammates will start to hate you, maybe your coach will put your on the bench in the next game or even worse, you will be forced to quit team.

So, my advice to you is; if you want to become a real successful soccer player you need to have fun on the soccer field. If you are afraid of making mistakes then you will never be able to have fun on because you will be running around and hiding yourself from the ball. Always bear that in mind when you enter a field and I can ensure you that you will reach higher goals then what I did!

/Coach Ben