The Importance of Focusing on the “Next Play” in Soccer

As a competitive youth soccer player, you’re at a stage where working on your skills and developing the right mindset can make all the difference in your performance.

Mindset comes first.

Skills come second.

That’s if you want to be great. Reverse the two and I’ve seen very good players fizzle out.

As I talk to my son about the game, I find the “next play” mentality works wonders.

Focusing on the next play gets you back up and in the game. It doesn’t allow any time to sulk and have a negative attitude.

It’s an action oriented response that puts you in the driver’s seat of the game.

Here are the benefits of having this kind of mindset for soccer (and in life).

Short Memory is Your Friend

Soccer is a game of constant movement and quick decision-making.

Being frustrated on a previous play can slow you down. It can take up head space so you aren’t focused on the present.

Quickly shifting your focus gets you back in the next play.

Try to embrace a short term memory in soccer and other sports.

Emotional Resilience

Mistakes happen in soccer.

In fact, there are a lot of mistakes that can happen over 90 minutes.

How you respond to these mishaps makes a big difference. Are you able to move on in a split second? Or, does it eat at you? The former will make you a player coaches want.

By focusing on the next play, you can avoid the negative spiral of self-criticism. Instead, you’ll be able to shift your focus on the game ahead.

Being a Better Leader

When you act and communicate the mantra “next play”, you’ll get others to follow suit.

It’s a great way to lift other players up when their chin is down.

It’s a great way for the team to huddle around a quick saying to pursue the task at hand…win a soccer game.

Teams that move forward quickly find more success. Mental speed is very underrated.

Continuous Improvement

Adopting a next play mindset aligns with the philosophy of continuous improvement. Something many organizations adopt to climb to the top.

Instead of being satisfied with a good play or disheartened by a bad one, you constantly seek to learn and grow.

This mindset drives you to refine your skills, understand your mistakes, and strive for better performance.

Over time, this approach leads to significant development and a higher level of play.

Better Game Management

Soccer matches are unpredictable, and the momentum can shift rapidly.

By concentrating on the next play, you can better manage the flow of the game.

Whether it’s controlling the pace, executing set plays, or responding to the opposition’s momentum, focusing on the next play ensures you are ready to make an impact.

Final Thoughts

As a competitive soccer player, adopting a “next play” mentality is a powerful approach that enhances your individual performance, strengthens team dynamics, and builds the mental resilience needed for success.

It’s a simple phrase and works quite well for most players!

Keep this saying in mind when you are in the backyard, at practice, and especially at games.

By embracing this mindset, you can navigate the ups and downs of the game with confidence.

Your mindset will take you places.

It can either take you where you want to go or force you wherever. The choice is yours.