How to Handle Being Cut from a Soccer Team

Being cut from a soccer team can be a tough experience, especially if you’ve invested a lot of time and effort into the sport.

It can be a blow to your self-esteem and leave you feeling lost and unsure of what to do next.

However, it’s important to remember that being cut is not the end of the world. It’s a temporary setback and an opportunity to learn and grow.

In fact, I’ve seen many players who didn’t make a team and use it as fuel for the next year. Some of these players go on to become one of the best on their team. It’s all about how you react to tough situations that will make or break you as an athlete.

In this article, we’ll provide some insights, based on our experience, to help you move on from being cut.

Understanding Your Emotions

First and foremost, it’s important to take some time to process your emotions. It’s okay to feel disappointed, frustrated, or even angry. Really allow yourself to feel those emotions and work through them in a healthy way.

Talking to a friend or family member who has been through a similar experience can be helpful.

It is normal to feel a range of emotions during this time. From anger to sadness to jealousy and everything in between, this is normal. Understanding and processing these emotions can help you move forward in a positive way.

Dealing with Disappointment

Feeling disappointed is a natural response to being cut from a soccer team. You may have worked hard and had high hopes for the season.

It is important to allow yourself to feel disappointed, but it is also important to not dwell on it for too long. Here are some tips to help you deal with disappointment:

• Allow yourself to feel the disappointment, but have a short memory about it.
• Talk to someone you trust about how you are feeling.
• Focus on the positive aspects of the experience, such as the skills you learned and the friendships you made.
• Set new goals for yourself and work towards them.
• Try to let go of the disappointing feeling and replace it with motivation.
• Practice gratitude. What’s great about your life?
• Send us a message and we’ll try to provide our words of encouragement.

It will be difficult to see the team you were supposed to be on walk by but understand that there is next year. You have almost a full 365 days to become a better player…that’s a long time!

Moving Forward

Here are some steps you can take to move forward:

Staying Positive

It’s important to stay positive and keep a good attitude after being cut from a team.

Remember that being cut doesn’t define you as a person or a player. Focus on the things you can control, like your attitude and work ethic.

Try to stay motivated by setting new goals for yourself, both on and off the field.

Work with a parent or coach to develop attainable goals that you can use as a springboard for next year.

Improving Your Skills

Improving your soccer skills every day can be a fun process.  Oftentimes, not making a team can be a wake-up call and time to reflect on things you can improve on.

If budget allows, consider working with a private coach or trainer to improve on your strengths and focus on becoming a better player at your position.

Finding a New Team

Finally, don’t give up on soccer altogether just because you’ve been cut from one team. As optimistic adults say, “There’s plenty of fish in the sea”.

I’m guessing there are a lot of teams that would love to have you as a player. Reignite your passion for the game and start fresh on a new squad.

Consider searching our directory or reaching out to local clubs to see if they have any open spots on their rosters.

You may also want to attend ID camps or tryouts for other teams in your area to see if you can find a good fit.

Make YOU a Priority

Self-Care Tips for Soccer Players

It is vital, as a human, you take the time to take care of yourself during this period. It’s easy to let yourself go but try to be strong for yourself. Your future self will thank you. Here are some self-care tips to help you cope:

• Allow yourself to feel your emotions. It is okay to feel sad, angry, or frustrated. Acknowledge your feelings and give yourself time to process them.
• Take care of your physical health. Exercise, eat healthy foods, and get enough sleep. This will help you feel better both physically and mentally.
• Engage in activities that make you happy. Whether it’s reading a book, listening to music, or spending time with friends, do things that bring you joy.
• Practice relaxation techniques. Deep breathing, meditation, and yoga can help you reduce stress and anxiety.

Talking to Someone

It can be helpful to talk to someone about your experience of being cut from the team. Here are some suggestions:

• Talk to a trusted friend or family member. They can provide emotional support and a listening ear.
• Consider talking to a coach. They can provide guidance and feedback on what you may need to improve.
• Connect with others who have experienced being cut from a team. You can find many people sharing their experiences and things they did to get over it.

Remember, taking care of yourself is important during this time. Be kind to yourself and give yourself time to heal.

Try Something New

Being cut from a soccer team can sometimes open more hours for you to try something new.  Here are some things you can do:

• Consider a different position: If you were playing in a specific position that wasn’t working out, try a different position. It may turn out that you have skills that are better suited to a different position.
• Join a different team: If you’re still interested in playing soccer, consider joining a different team. There are many different teams out there, and you may find that a different team is a better fit for you.
• Try a different sport: If soccer felt like a “job”, consider trying a different sport. There are many different sports out there, and you may find that you have a talent for a different sport.

Train with Purpose

It’s important to remember that getting cut from a soccer team is not the end of the world. One way to handle the situation is to train with purpose. This means setting goals for yourself and working hard to achieve them.

First, have self-awareness. By knowing your strengths and weaknesses, you can improve upon them.

I would suggest figuring out your strengths first and then focusing on improving these areas. This is where you will get the most traction. For example, let’s say you are small and quick, work on trapping the ball, and then making a quick turn to get away from the defender. Or, if you are a defender, consider getting stronger so you can shoulder players off the ball.

Next, make sure you’re training with intensity. Don’t just go through the motions – push yourself to work harder, smarter, and faster. Consider finding a training partner or joining pickup games to keep yourself motivated and accountable.

Finally, track your progress. Keep a journal or use a fitness app to record your workouts and track your improvement. Or, take videos of your training sessions. Seeing your progress over time can be a great motivator and help you stay on track.

Conclusion

There’s no easy way around it. This moment doesn’t have to define your soccer career.

Remember, you are not alone, and many players have been through the same experience. It’s important to take the time to process your emotions and reflect on your performance, but don’t let this setback discourage you from pursuing your passion for soccer.

Try to keep a growth mindset and understand that you are a work in progress. Luckily, the hard work you put in is on you. It’s controllable. If you put in a lot of effort to get better, guess what? You’ll get better.

Also, remember that there are many different factors that go into team selection, and sometimes it comes down to factors beyond your control.

Keep a positive attitude, stay focused on your goals, and continue to work hard. With dedication and perseverance, you can overcome this setback and achieve your soccer dreams. I know it!