Soccer and Psychology

by Michael
(Wisconsin)

My name is Michael and I have been playing soccer for about 5 years. Currently, I am playing for a team in college but I’ve faced a lot of barterers on my way up. My story is about how climbed over these barriers and finally reached my goals. So, let’s start.

I started to play soccer very late and honestly I didn’t thought that I would ever reach any higher goals then playing for a team in the middle of nowhere. The first team I joined was a real challenge. The players used to laugh and making fun of me because I my soccer skills were so poor!

I was very sad and sometimes I ever cried. However, I promised myself to never give up and let these guys win. So, I made up a plan and started to practice on my own. Directly after the school I took my ball, shoes and water bottle and jogged to the field.

The great thing was that no one ever played on this field which made it possible for me to practice on my skills without having anyone laughing at me.

After few months I noticed that I was able to compete with the other guys in the team. I also scored a great goal with a shot from 25 yards and I can still see my teammates standing and watching me with open mouths while I was running around and celebrating for myself.

The feeling can’t be described and you really need to experience it in order to know what I am talking about. However, if you have ever scored a goal you know what I am talking about. So, after joining the team of my high school I was invited to participate in the trial for a college team.

Seriously, I didn’t though that I had a chance but I decided to do my best and see it as something fun. So, I joined the trials without any pressure or nervousness and first day I was just an average player.

However, the great thing was that the other players were not so good either (to my big surprise). After three days of practice, the coaches decided that we will play an intern game and after that they would pick the players for the college team. Wondering how it went?

Well, I managed to score 3 goals, one from bicycle kick which is still today the greatest goal I’ve ever scored. The coaches took me at the side directly after the game and congratulated me to a place in the college team.

So, never give up, no matter how hard it feels because only on that way you will be able to get over the barriers and reach your goals. If I could do it, then so can you. Good luck with your soccer career

/Michael