How to Be More Consistent in Soccer Games

It can be frustrating for a player to play really well in one game and not do much in the next.

From one game to the next, your game might be inconsistent. In one game, you touch the ball 15 times. In the next, you touch it 3 times.

Your involvement in games can teeter.

But, isn’t that soccer for ya?

Soccer is one of those unique sports where the flow of the game can impact how well you play.

The key is to take advantage of every moment you are involved in a play. It could happen many times or a few.

Here are my best suggestions on how to be more consistent during games!

It Starts With Consistent Training

To become better in games, you need to develop consistent training habits. After all, consistency breeds discipline. Here are my top suggestions:

• Train hard all the time
• Practice like you have a game the next day
• Learn to live with mistakes in your training sessions
• Focus on developing your game
• Ignore the outcome (scoring a goal)
• Build up your conditioning and stamina

Build Up Your Mental Resilience

Next, having a strong mentality going into games is going to be the driving force to play better.

Without the right mindset, your skills will not matter much.

I’ve seen kids with all the skills in the world cave under the pressure of games. They are so in their head that they do more thinking than playing.

It’s hard to watch because they know that they can do better. I don’t want this for you.

Here are some helpful articles that I’ve written on the mental side of soccer:

1. The Ultimate Soccer Mindset
2. Growth Mindset in Sports
3. Peak at 25

What Are Strategies to Help Be More Consistent in Games?

After training and building a stronger mindset, comes the in-game stuff.

Here are some strategies to help you become more consistent.

Intense Focus (It’s Only 60-90 Minutes)

Maintaining focus during a soccer game is crucial for consistency.

You need to stay focused on the game, even when the ball is not near you. Here are some tips to help you maintain your focus:

• Mentally stay involved in every play.
• Physically be active and make quick decisions when the ball is near you.
• Anticipate the next move of your opponent.
• Listen to your teammates and coaches.
• Communicate with your teammates.
• Don’t look toward the sidelines at your parents.

Adapt to the Flow of the Game

Soccer games are dynamic and can change very quickly.

To be consistent, you need to be able to adapt to the flow of the game. Here are some tips to help you adapt:

• Be aware of the game’s pace and adjust your playing style accordingly.
• Be flexible and willing to change positions (i.e. – move more centrally if you are a winger) if needed.
• Make positional adjustments with your teammates.

Reminder: You Won’t Be Great Every Game

As much as we all strive to be consistent in soccer, it’s important to remember that you won’t be great every game. Even the best players in the world have their off days.

This is part of life.

The key is to not let one bad game affect your confidence and performance in future games. I know…easier said than done.

It’s important to have good self-awareness and not put too much pressure on yourself.

Another way to stay consistent is to avoid getting too caught up in the outcome of the game. I understand this is tough for most kids.

While winning is important, it’s not everything. Focus on playing your best and contributing to the team’s success. This will help you stay motivated and perform more consistently.

Mistakes Do Happen. Learn From Them.

Mistakes are inevitable. They happen a lot in soccer. It’s so important for young players to realize this.

Focus on learning from your mistakes and using them as an opportunity to improve your game.

It’s crucial to stay positive and not let mistakes affect your confidence. Responding to your mistakes positively will create more resilience in you.

Stay focused on your development and keep pushing forward.

So don’t be afraid to make mistakes – embrace them as opportunities to learn and grow as a player!