How to Get Into Flow State a Soccer Player

Do you know what flow state is? A flow state is a mental state where you are fully immersed in an activity, feeling energized, focused, and in control.

In soccer, it’s that mental clarity and feeling like you can do no wrong on the field.

Being in the zone can make all the difference in your performance.

Whether it is practice or a game, being in a flow state can elevate your soccer career to new heights.

But, how do you get there? We’ll address that question and more in this article!

What Exactly is a Flow State?

Flow state is also referred to as “being in the zone.”

This state is characterized by complete absorption in the task at hand, losing track of time, and feeling a sense of satisfaction and enjoyment in whatever you are doing.

When in a flow state, you are not thinking about the past or the future, but fully focused on the present moment.

For example, as a writer of this site, I get into flow state and the words spew out onto the screen.

In your case, you might feel like the game is slowing down but you are 10 steps ahead of everyone.

Being in a flow state is associated with many benefits including:

Improved performance
Increased motivation
Reduced anxiety

When you are in this state, the brain releases neurotransmitters such as dopamine, norepinephrine, and anandamide, which contribute to feelings of pleasure, focus, and relaxation.

Oh, what a mental place to be in!

How to Get Into Flow State

Getting into a flow state can be challenging, especially in today’s world with so many distractions.

If you want to achieve peak performance, here are some tips to help you get into a flow state:

What Triggers a Flow State?

Challenging tasks: Engaging in tasks that are challenging but not too difficult can help you get into a flow state. This can be achieved by increasing the difficulty of your training sessions gradually, pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, and trying new techniques or strategies. When things are challenging, you naturally put more mental energy behind it. Go 25% harder next practice.
Focused attention: To get into a flow state, you need to be fully focused on the task at hand. This means avoiding distractions such as your phone or other people, and staying present in the moment. When you step on the soccer field, try to block everything except soccer. Put them blinders on!
High skill level: Having a high level of skill in your sport can help you get into a flow state more easily. This means practicing consistently and working on improving your technique, speed, and agility. By focusing on the process of getting better, you can ignite your flow state more consistently.
Passion and enjoyment: Finally, being passionate about your sport and enjoying the process can help you get into a flow state. This means finding ways to make your training sessions and games more enjoyable, such as playing with friends or pumping up the music. Play for the moment.

Final Thoughts

Elite athletes understand that physical performance is only a small fraction of the game.

As a soccer player, you need to get in the right mindset to perform at your best. This means moving on from the past and ignoring the future.

All you have is this second. This moment.

By focusing on the now, you are more likely to get into the flow state. Once this is activated, you’ll feel like you are gliding on the field while your opponents have bricks tied to their cleats.

Achieving peak performance will take practice and lots of discipline.

In your school work, try to block out distractions for 30 minutes. The more you do this, the better you will be in other parts of your life including soccer!