Your Body Language Tells Your Story

As an athlete, the way you carry yourself and your body language matters.

In life, does someone who doesn’t want to be where they are have a certain look to them? Most certainly. Their head is down, shoulders are slumped, and they move slowly.

What about someone who is excited? Their shoulders are straight, their chest is out, and they walk around like they own the world.

The latter is what you should strive for on and off the field.

I believe that your body language influences the way you feel and act. What’s even better? You can 100% control it.

Your Body Language Leads the Way You Feel & Play

As a soccer player, you know that your body language can speak volumes about your confidence and readiness to play.

When you step onto the field, your body language can either show confidence or uncertainty, and this can impact the way you feel and play.

If you are in high school, coaches and scouts notice this.

To show confidence, you need to have a good posture, stand tall, and keep your head up. This helps to convey a sense of purpose and confidence to your opponents and teammates.

You can also use your body language to show your readiness to play. For example, you can keep your feet moving and your arms loose to show that you are alert and ready to react to any situation.

If you have poor body language, it can negatively impact your confidence and overall performance.

For example, slouching or looking down can make you appear unsure or disinterested, which can lead to acting a step slower than your opponent. Or, worse, it could signal to your coach that you simply don’t want to be there.

How Do I Show Better Body Language?

To help you show confidence on the field, here are some tips:

• Keep your head up no matter what happens.
• Stand tall and chest out.
• Keep your arms loose and your feet moving.
• Help your teammates up when they fall.
• Use positive self-talk to help you stay focused and confident.
• Be engaged when you’re on the bench.
• Don’t throw your hands up if you disagree with a ref’s call.
• If you lose possession, try to get the ball back.

Final Thoughts

A player showing positive body language can separate good from great players.

When your body reflects a positive attitude about the game, your game will develop faster. You will be more excited to be on the field, to get coached, and to work harder.

If you are a parent reading this, try to instill confidence in your child as early as possible. This will have a positive impact on them in sports and life.

If you are a player reading this, spend five minutes projecting confidence. Keep your head up high, shoulders back, and feel like you can accomplish anything right now! Now, go out and do it.