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Roberto De Zerbi, former Brighton head coach, see here coaching Marseille, taps into evolutionary psychology… Approach behaviour and avoidant behaviour… De Zerbi demands approach behaviour! A high intent. Energy-towards. Leaning into the challenge. Purposeful. Proactive. Moving forward. Risk-taking and brave. Explorative. Creative. Expressive… There is no middle ground. No...

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Daniel Abrahams

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103,846 views • 1 year ago •via X (Twitter)

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“Concentration - managing the game - basics of the game” A big thank you to Brentford head coach, Keith Andrews, for reinforcing the importance of mindset… As Coach Andrews is saying here, mindset is a basic of the game. It is central to the execution of every technical, tactical, and physical action. It constantly mediates the precision and accuracy of anticipation and decision-making… Attention Intensity Intent Coach Andrews bemoans players dropping in attention and shifting in intensity (Low Performance Mindset - LPM) and so subsequently not reading the game…not tracking the runners. And then he bemoans a low intent with actions (LPM again) - losing duels by not being aggressive and so unable to nullify the opposition. Oh yes Coach Andrews, yes sir, mindset lies at the heart of your players’ behaviour…and subsequent performance… Attention Intensity Intent “Our job on the pitch is to be in our High Performance Mindset (HPM). It’s to be in our HPM no matter what - high attention, optimal intensity, high intent. Every second in control and in charge. In control and in charge. Nothing and no one takes us away from our HPM. Nothing and no one…” Of course, every activity in every session counts. From a holistic warm-up to rondos and keep-balls to 11 v 11’s…all of these are opportunities to help players heighten their attention by strengthening their connections in the game and by making those connections precise and accurate…under pressure. Every activity in every session counts Every activity in every session counts Yes Coach Andrews…mindset is a basic of the game. But it’s a basic that must be worked on daily in every activity in every session… (Video from Sky Sports…please follow them on Sky Sports Premier League on X)
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“Concentration - managing the game - basics of the game” A big thank you to Brentford head coach, Keith Andrews, for reinforcing the importance of mindset… As Coach Andrews is saying here, mindset is a basic of the game. It is central to the execution of every technical, tactical, and physical action. It constantly mediates the precision and accuracy of anticipation and decision-making… Attention Intensity Intent Coach Andrews bemoans players dropping in attention and shifting in intensity (Low Performance Mindset - LPM) and so subsequently not reading the game…not tracking the runners. And then he bemoans a low intent with actions (LPM again) - losing duels by not being aggressive and so unable to nullify the opposition. Oh yes Coach Andrews, yes sir, mindset lies at the heart of your players’ behaviour…and subsequent performance… Attention Intensity Intent “Our job on the pitch is to be in our High Performance Mindset (HPM). It’s to be in our HPM no matter what - high attention, optimal intensity, high intent. Every second in control and in charge. In control and in charge. Nothing and no one takes us away from our HPM. Nothing and no one…” Of course, every activity in every session counts. From a holistic warm-up to rondos and keep-balls to 11 v 11’s…all of these are opportunities to help players heighten their attention by strengthening their connections in the game and by making those connections precise and accurate…under pressure. Every activity in every session counts Every activity in every session counts Yes Coach Andrews…mindset is a basic of the game. But it’s a basic that must be worked on daily in every activity in every session… (Video from Sky Sports…please follow them on Sky Sports Premier League on X)

Daniel Abrahams

25,765 views • 1 year ago

Put a footballer in an activity with moderate to low emotional stress and they will execute actions with positive intent (approach behaviour) Now put them on the pitch in a game perceived to be important…behavioural inhibition can kick in This is one reason why session design and coach behaviour are prime mediators of player mental skills And it’s why coaches need a psychological framework as a template to help player and team mindset Attention Intensity Intent “In the most important games, our players compete in their High Performance Mindset…with attention, intensity, intent. I know this because every player has their own unique mental framework and our team is committed to High Performance Mindset as a collective… …I know this because we’ve trained High Performance Mindset in every activity in every session every day…through our designs and through our instructions” Every activity Every session Every day
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Daniel Abrahams

50,550 views • 2 years ago

“Where are you mentally?” Eddie Howe knows… He knows that movement and runs are underpinned by mindset and mentality at the adult elite level of the game…the professional level Eddie Howe knows… He knows he has to remind his players of their responsibility to the psychological aspects of the game. Attention Intensity Intent Movement requires a focus of attention and a connection to the game. “How can I lose the defenders here?” “How can I make it difficult for them?” An absorption in the granular details of movement…to outwit, to out-manoeuvre! Movement also requires a mental intensity that lends itself towards physical intensity. Cortical stimulation for readiness - alert and energised, alert and energised…looking for the space, calculating the path towards that space. And movement requires energy forward - a purposeful, positive, and proactive execution of actions. Front-foot. A sense of certainty. Approach behaviour. Towards rather than away from. Attention Intensity Intent Eddie Howe knows. He knows that he has to train mindset in every activity in every session every day, in order for his players to replicate an optimal mindset on game day. Attention Intensity Intent Players in charge and in control. Dominating and owning their minds, their bodies, and the spaces around them…
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“Where are you mentally?” Eddie Howe knows… He knows that movement and runs are underpinned by mindset and mentality at the adult elite level of the game…the professional level Eddie Howe knows… He knows he has to remind his players of their responsibility to the psychological aspects of the game. Attention Intensity Intent Movement requires a focus of attention and a connection to the game. “How can I lose the defenders here?” “How can I make it difficult for them?” An absorption in the granular details of movement…to outwit, to out-manoeuvre! Movement also requires a mental intensity that lends itself towards physical intensity. Cortical stimulation for readiness - alert and energised, alert and energised…looking for the space, calculating the path towards that space. And movement requires energy forward - a purposeful, positive, and proactive execution of actions. Front-foot. A sense of certainty. Approach behaviour. Towards rather than away from. Attention Intensity Intent Eddie Howe knows. He knows that he has to train mindset in every activity in every session every day, in order for his players to replicate an optimal mindset on game day. Attention Intensity Intent Players in charge and in control. Dominating and owning their minds, their bodies, and the spaces around them…

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70,910 views • 2 years ago

📹🚨🗣️| Fabrizio Romano on United starting their process to find the new head coach and who the candidates could be: “Now Manchester United will start the process to understand who can be the future manager. It’s going to be a long process, not a matter of days, it’s going to take weeks and months. United are going to meet managers and representatives. Two names I can guarantee will be considered by Ineos are Thomas Tuchel and Roberto De Zerbi. Tuchel is fully focused on England and nothing can be agreed while there’s a World Cup incoming. Roberto De Zerbi’s focus is on Marseille. Tuchel and De Zerbi were both candidates in 2024, and they met with them. De Zerbi is appreciated by United but he’s not the only one.” #MUFC
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📹🚨🗣️| Fabrizio Romano on United starting their process to find the new head coach and who the candidates could be: “Now Manchester United will start the process to understand who can be the future manager. It’s going to be a long process, not a matter of days, it’s going to take weeks and months. United are going to meet managers and representatives. Two names I can guarantee will be considered by Ineos are Thomas Tuchel and Roberto De Zerbi. Tuchel is fully focused on England and nothing can be agreed while there’s a World Cup incoming. Roberto De Zerbi’s focus is on Marseille. Tuchel and De Zerbi were both candidates in 2024, and they met with them. De Zerbi is appreciated by United but he’s not the only one.” #MUFC

UtdJoshua

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Attention Intensity Intent It was interesting to watch Arne Slot talk about the importance of energy in his coaching practice. When I had the pleasure and honour of working with Arne at Feyenoord we used to talk a lot about helping players manage their energy - both physical and mental. Attention Intensity Intent In the model I use with coaches, intensity is mental energy. I used to talk to Arne a lot about players competing with an optimal level of mental energy (to complement the physical intensity that’s critical for the game). Arne being Arne - he was always open to my suggestions around managing and optimising energy. For me, in this video Arne is talking about the difference between ‘fun’ and ‘enjoyment’. Activities aren’t always ‘fun’ but players tend to enjoy difficult. They tend to enjoy the challenge. Sweat and smiles Sweat and smiles Sweat and smiles Challenging activities also tap attention and intent. Constraints and conditions appropriately set channel attention and a drive a high level of intent. Attention Intensity Intent Ultimately, when coaching actions related to the principles of play you want your players to exploit…do so with attention, intensity, and intent in mind… (Video found on ‘X’ posted by Football DNA - do follow them)
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Attention Intensity Intent It was interesting to watch Arne Slot talk about the importance of energy in his coaching practice. When I had the pleasure and honour of working with Arne at Feyenoord we used to talk a lot about helping players manage their energy - both physical and mental. Attention Intensity Intent In the model I use with coaches, intensity is mental energy. I used to talk to Arne a lot about players competing with an optimal level of mental energy (to complement the physical intensity that’s critical for the game). Arne being Arne - he was always open to my suggestions around managing and optimising energy. For me, in this video Arne is talking about the difference between ‘fun’ and ‘enjoyment’. Activities aren’t always ‘fun’ but players tend to enjoy difficult. They tend to enjoy the challenge. Sweat and smiles Sweat and smiles Sweat and smiles Challenging activities also tap attention and intent. Constraints and conditions appropriately set channel attention and a drive a high level of intent. Attention Intensity Intent Ultimately, when coaching actions related to the principles of play you want your players to exploit…do so with attention, intensity, and intent in mind… (Video found on ‘X’ posted by Football DNA - do follow them)

Daniel Abrahams

53,092 views • 1 year ago

Day one of Roberto De Zerbi at Tottenham Hotspur is in the books, and a couple of small moments already say a lot about how meticulous he is. No matter how minor or major the situation, he coaches what the game presents. The first example came when he approached Dominic Solanke. During a small sided game, Solanke was using constant movement, checking runs and changing direction to create space. When play paused, De Zerbi stepped in to explain that in tight areas, locking/shielding the defender directly can actually create more space surrounding him to receive, without needing movement. It sounds simple, but if it needs coaching, he addresses it immediately and with intent. The moments of when to move vs when to lock on! The second moment highlighted his well known focus on tempo. He urged calm from defenders when they had an overload, encouraging them to slow things down just enough to ensure accurate distribution. That patience also allows the structure ahead of the ball to take shape and for movement to develop, leading to more controlled and progressive possession. When the moment is right tempo speeds up to progress the play! The detail stands out. If it's detail and energy Tottenham wanted, Roberto De Zerbi will 100% bring that.
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Day one of Roberto De Zerbi at Tottenham Hotspur is in the books, and a couple of small moments already say a lot about how meticulous he is. No matter how minor or major the situation, he coaches what the game presents. The first example came when he approached Dominic Solanke. During a small sided game, Solanke was using constant movement, checking runs and changing direction to create space. When play paused, De Zerbi stepped in to explain that in tight areas, locking/shielding the defender directly can actually create more space surrounding him to receive, without needing movement. It sounds simple, but if it needs coaching, he addresses it immediately and with intent. The moments of when to move vs when to lock on! The second moment highlighted his well known focus on tempo. He urged calm from defenders when they had an overload, encouraging them to slow things down just enough to ensure accurate distribution. That patience also allows the structure ahead of the ball to take shape and for movement to develop, leading to more controlled and progressive possession. When the moment is right tempo speeds up to progress the play! The detail stands out. If it's detail and energy Tottenham wanted, Roberto De Zerbi will 100% bring that.

Keepitonthedeck

433,551 views • 5 months ago

Andrew Luck, former NFL quarterback (now GM of Stanford Football programme) digs deep into the importance of competitive practice… Don’t mess with practice…that’s when you win games… The detail - constraints and conditions that help players experience the demands of competition. Tasks and challenges that increase emotion and feeling. But here’s the thing… Mr Luck hints at player mental frameworks when he speaks to the opportunity to practice breathing and positive affect during tough-to-manage training sessions. Breathe…steady your nervous system! Positivity…influence your teammates! Deeper still… Go to work on attention, intensity, intent… A deep attention during practice…search for the cues you need to respond to… Heighten mental intensity…stay engaged with the cues… Aim to execute actions with a high intent…purposeful, positive, and proactive no matter what… In control and in charge. Dominate and own your mindset. Practice is a time to go hard mentally…it’s a time to practice the psychology of game day… (From Think Fast Talk Smart Podcast)
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Andrew Luck, former NFL quarterback (now GM of Stanford Football programme) digs deep into the importance of competitive practice… Don’t mess with practice…that’s when you win games… The detail - constraints and conditions that help players experience the demands of competition. Tasks and challenges that increase emotion and feeling. But here’s the thing… Mr Luck hints at player mental frameworks when he speaks to the opportunity to practice breathing and positive affect during tough-to-manage training sessions. Breathe…steady your nervous system! Positivity…influence your teammates! Deeper still… Go to work on attention, intensity, intent… A deep attention during practice…search for the cues you need to respond to… Heighten mental intensity…stay engaged with the cues… Aim to execute actions with a high intent…purposeful, positive, and proactive no matter what… In control and in charge. Dominate and own your mindset. Practice is a time to go hard mentally…it’s a time to practice the psychology of game day… (From Think Fast Talk Smart Podcast)

Daniel Abrahams

129,623 views • 8 months ago

Pat Kelsey of Louisville Cardinals lays down the standards… “The standards are the standards” he announces, openly stealing from Mike Tomlin of the Stealers. Coach Kelsey wants the standards to be set by the first rep of the day. Momentum of standards start with a single action, a single activity, a single period of focus. And then they multiply… Be the 1% not the average. Again, Coach Kelsey strives to open pictures in the minds of his players. Picture of excellence, of better, of High Performance Mindsets… In my world he’s talking about Attention, Intensity, Intent… Attention - focused and connected to whatever you’re engaged with. Immersed! Intensity - an optimal mental energy - alert and ready…alert to the challenge and ready to respond. Intent - an energy-forward execution…leaning-in. Approach behaviour. Curious…engaged in mastery. Coach Kelsey lays down the standards. After all, the standards are the standards… (Video via Hoop Herald on X)
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Pat Kelsey of Louisville Cardinals lays down the standards… “The standards are the standards” he announces, openly stealing from Mike Tomlin of the Stealers. Coach Kelsey wants the standards to be set by the first rep of the day. Momentum of standards start with a single action, a single activity, a single period of focus. And then they multiply… Be the 1% not the average. Again, Coach Kelsey strives to open pictures in the minds of his players. Picture of excellence, of better, of High Performance Mindsets… In my world he’s talking about Attention, Intensity, Intent… Attention - focused and connected to whatever you’re engaged with. Immersed! Intensity - an optimal mental energy - alert and ready…alert to the challenge and ready to respond. Intent - an energy-forward execution…leaning-in. Approach behaviour. Curious…engaged in mastery. Coach Kelsey lays down the standards. After all, the standards are the standards… (Video via Hoop Herald on X)

Daniel Abrahams

26,218 views • 8 months ago

“Captains aren’t always leaders” says Jose Mourinho… …sure… …but in high performance sport, all players can develop their leadership skills. Even just a little. It starts with helping them have a simple but broad ranging definition. To lead is to influence. And all players can influence their team mates. Influence in sport starts with action. This is level one leadership. When players compete in their High Performance Mindset…when they execute every action in their High Performance Mindset…they automatically influence others. Social and emotional contagion starts with action! One level up is influencing with confidence in mind. Many, but not all players can help others develop confidence. They just need to be shown how. Simply, they can help their teammates recall best moments, strengths, and successes. They can help teammates remember these and rehearse these…every day! By tapping into memory, players can help their teammates feel great! The next level is to influence by energy. Some, but not many players can influence others’ energy. Through voice and body language (the embodiment of that voice), players can inject feelings of energy through the bodies’ of their teammates. This takes moments of extraversion. It takes willingness to bypass any social anxiety. It takes a desire to be front and centre. Through tone of voice and assertive gestures, players can inject feelings of energy in others. The highest level is influencing through solution. Few players can do this. Few players can instruct. It takes knowledge of the game model and the responsibilities in others’ roles. It takes the ability to focus on self but be minded by the games of teammates. It takes the ability to compete through cognitive overload. Action…confidence…energy…solutions And this needs to be trained in every activity in every session. It needs to be incorporated into session design and coach behaviour. It needs to be made a big deal in a coach’s practice and process. To lead is to influence. And the ability to influence can be learned by anyone who deems it important enough… ******************************** 𝐌𝐲 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤, 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐚 𝐰𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩…𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬. 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐬
1:17

“Captains aren’t always leaders” says Jose Mourinho… …sure… …but in high performance sport, all players can develop their leadership skills. Even just a little. It starts with helping them have a simple but broad ranging definition. To lead is to influence. And all players can influence their team mates. Influence in sport starts with action. This is level one leadership. When players compete in their High Performance Mindset…when they execute every action in their High Performance Mindset…they automatically influence others. Social and emotional contagion starts with action! One level up is influencing with confidence in mind. Many, but not all players can help others develop confidence. They just need to be shown how. Simply, they can help their teammates recall best moments, strengths, and successes. They can help teammates remember these and rehearse these…every day! By tapping into memory, players can help their teammates feel great! The next level is to influence by energy. Some, but not many players can influence others’ energy. Through voice and body language (the embodiment of that voice), players can inject feelings of energy through the bodies’ of their teammates. This takes moments of extraversion. It takes willingness to bypass any social anxiety. It takes a desire to be front and centre. Through tone of voice and assertive gestures, players can inject feelings of energy in others. The highest level is influencing through solution. Few players can do this. Few players can instruct. It takes knowledge of the game model and the responsibilities in others’ roles. It takes the ability to focus on self but be minded by the games of teammates. It takes the ability to compete through cognitive overload. Action…confidence…energy…solutions And this needs to be trained in every activity in every session. It needs to be incorporated into session design and coach behaviour. It needs to be made a big deal in a coach’s practice and process. To lead is to influence. And the ability to influence can be learned by anyone who deems it important enough… ******************************** 𝐌𝐲 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤, 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐚 𝐰𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩…𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬. 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐬

Daniel Abrahams

38,008 views • 1 month ago

Roy Keane: “It’s just an act…” 👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻 Below is perhaps one of the most insightful clips I’ve watched related to the psychology of adult elite sport (the professional level of sport). Tucked away…silently…in a BBC interview quite some years ago. A small section of an interview with Roy Keane, one of the Premier League’s greatest players… “It’s an act. Of course I had self-doubts, but I kept an act up. The skinhead. A few sendings off. I fear nothing. Some sort of machine. Which is nonsense. You act, don’t you!” Roy Keane was a great actor. He acted when he took to the pitch. He had, what I call a ‘Game Face’. I wrote about my mental technique of ‘Game Face’ in my first book Soccer Tough (a book that I’m proud to say Gareth Bale called life changing). And I expanded on ‘Game Face’ in Soccer Tough II. A ‘Game Face’ is a term I use to describe a player’s best ‘mental state’ and ideal ‘competitive persona’. It’s a pictorial metaphor that helps players think about, imagine, and then self-regulate around who they want to be in the heat of battle and how they want to execute their actions. “I’m my Game Face no matter what. I say it, be it, do it, act it…embody it, enact it” To bring this alive I’ll provide some examples… I spent five years working with someone considered one of the best defenders in the world. He had a ‘Game Face’ of ‘Dominant & Relentless’. These last two years working with Feyenoord as they won the Eredivisie and the Dutch Cup, one of the players had a ‘Game Face’ of ‘Positive Upbeat Benzema’ When England played in the final of the rugby World Cup in 2019, one of the players had a ‘Game Face’ of ‘Aggressive Energetic Lion’ (I was lead psych prior to the World Cup). You see, these are pictorial metaphors consisting of action-based words, often combined with a model player or concept such as an animal. Metaphors are wonderful linguistic tools for self-regulation, and can help human beings execute actions at a high intensity level, as well as engage in a competition with approach behaviour (on the front-foot, energy forward). Ultimately, sports competitors would do well to be great actors when they need to be. This doesn’t mean there’s anything inauthentic about their style of play. On the contrary, a ‘Game Face’ is robust in that it offers a description of ‘who they are’ and ‘who they need to be’ when kick-off arrives. It offers a dynamic descriptor of ‘who they are’ and ‘who they need to be’ in-game when the pressure is on. A ‘Game Face’ is a mix of authentic and inauthentic mental (and personality) states that enable players to adapt and flex when they need to. Roy Keane had a ‘Game Face’. He was an actor when he needed to be. In his words, it helped him find ‘the zone’. A ‘Game Face’ is the most powerful technique I’ve devised over the years…one that enables me to help players take charge of themselves and take control no matter what. To dominate their mindset and own their mindset no matter what… …no matter what!
1:29

Roy Keane: “It’s just an act…” 👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻 Below is perhaps one of the most insightful clips I’ve watched related to the psychology of adult elite sport (the professional level of sport). Tucked away…silently…in a BBC interview quite some years ago. A small section of an interview with Roy Keane, one of the Premier League’s greatest players… “It’s an act. Of course I had self-doubts, but I kept an act up. The skinhead. A few sendings off. I fear nothing. Some sort of machine. Which is nonsense. You act, don’t you!” Roy Keane was a great actor. He acted when he took to the pitch. He had, what I call a ‘Game Face’. I wrote about my mental technique of ‘Game Face’ in my first book Soccer Tough (a book that I’m proud to say Gareth Bale called life changing). And I expanded on ‘Game Face’ in Soccer Tough II. A ‘Game Face’ is a term I use to describe a player’s best ‘mental state’ and ideal ‘competitive persona’. It’s a pictorial metaphor that helps players think about, imagine, and then self-regulate around who they want to be in the heat of battle and how they want to execute their actions. “I’m my Game Face no matter what. I say it, be it, do it, act it…embody it, enact it” To bring this alive I’ll provide some examples… I spent five years working with someone considered one of the best defenders in the world. He had a ‘Game Face’ of ‘Dominant & Relentless’. These last two years working with Feyenoord as they won the Eredivisie and the Dutch Cup, one of the players had a ‘Game Face’ of ‘Positive Upbeat Benzema’ When England played in the final of the rugby World Cup in 2019, one of the players had a ‘Game Face’ of ‘Aggressive Energetic Lion’ (I was lead psych prior to the World Cup). You see, these are pictorial metaphors consisting of action-based words, often combined with a model player or concept such as an animal. Metaphors are wonderful linguistic tools for self-regulation, and can help human beings execute actions at a high intensity level, as well as engage in a competition with approach behaviour (on the front-foot, energy forward). Ultimately, sports competitors would do well to be great actors when they need to be. This doesn’t mean there’s anything inauthentic about their style of play. On the contrary, a ‘Game Face’ is robust in that it offers a description of ‘who they are’ and ‘who they need to be’ when kick-off arrives. It offers a dynamic descriptor of ‘who they are’ and ‘who they need to be’ in-game when the pressure is on. A ‘Game Face’ is a mix of authentic and inauthentic mental (and personality) states that enable players to adapt and flex when they need to. Roy Keane had a ‘Game Face’. He was an actor when he needed to be. In his words, it helped him find ‘the zone’. A ‘Game Face’ is the most powerful technique I’ve devised over the years…one that enables me to help players take charge of themselves and take control no matter what. To dominate their mindset and own their mindset no matter what… …no matter what!

Daniel Abrahams

640,866 views • 2 years ago

Three little girls with special needs were adopted from different countries and welcomed into a family of eight. Love transcends borders. It is not limited by geography or ability. Every child, no matter where they are born or what challenges they face, deserves to be cherished, protected, and given a home.
0:59

Three little girls with special needs were adopted from different countries and welcomed into a family of eight. Love transcends borders. It is not limited by geography or ability. Every child, no matter where they are born or what challenges they face, deserves to be cherished, protected, and given a home.

Lila Rose

73,458 views • 2 months ago

I haven’t seen a team have success against PSG by sitting off them This is the way to go, pressing high but moving quick into a low block Need to figure out the dynamics of how/if Chelsea could do it. No matter what they do. There will be suffering.
4:06

I haven’t seen a team have success against PSG by sitting off them This is the way to go, pressing high but moving quick into a low block Need to figure out the dynamics of how/if Chelsea could do it. No matter what they do. There will be suffering.

Tactx

36,932 views • 1 year ago

DOESN’T MATTER HOW SKILLED YOU ARE… IF YOU DON’T IMPACT WINNING! This is a big conversation I have with High School Coaches and parents. There are a lot of players that work year round on skill development but they don’t learn and/or be held accountable to the sacrifice, focus, energy, effort it takes to be a winning player for their team.
0:47

DOESN’T MATTER HOW SKILLED YOU ARE… IF YOU DON’T IMPACT WINNING! This is a big conversation I have with High School Coaches and parents. There are a lot of players that work year round on skill development but they don’t learn and/or be held accountable to the sacrifice, focus, energy, effort it takes to be a winning player for their team.

Steve Dagostino

20,733 views • 1 year ago

Fear… No matter the skill in your feet, fear can stifle and suffocate. It can tear talent apart. It can annihilate ability. Champions can be found wanting. The easy becoming difficult. The simple becoming complex. Jamie Carragher illustrates this by highlighting the incredibly gifted Liverpool players hiding. Urging the ball to go long. Refusing to show for it. Seeing the game out with fingers crossed more so than with intelligence and confidence. Fear is performance anxiety. It’s a low intent, energy-back. It’s hesitancy of action rather than positivity of movement and motion. It’s inhibition as opposed to purposeful play. It’s passiveness and caution rather than proactiveness and expansiveness. Small rather than big… Players need to learn to respond to their inner impulses. They need to learn to respond to the thoughts that envelope their mind, and the emotions and feelings that surge through their body. With weight settled forward they should show for it. While ignoring their internal strife they should lean into the challenge. With discipline and determination they should execute actions confident, brave, and aggressive… …even when everything inside of them encourages the opposite. This is what it is to be mentally skilful. This is what it is to be mentally tough. This is what it is to be mentally strong. This is fearless football…and fearless football takes daily work
2:11

Fear… No matter the skill in your feet, fear can stifle and suffocate. It can tear talent apart. It can annihilate ability. Champions can be found wanting. The easy becoming difficult. The simple becoming complex. Jamie Carragher illustrates this by highlighting the incredibly gifted Liverpool players hiding. Urging the ball to go long. Refusing to show for it. Seeing the game out with fingers crossed more so than with intelligence and confidence. Fear is performance anxiety. It’s a low intent, energy-back. It’s hesitancy of action rather than positivity of movement and motion. It’s inhibition as opposed to purposeful play. It’s passiveness and caution rather than proactiveness and expansiveness. Small rather than big… Players need to learn to respond to their inner impulses. They need to learn to respond to the thoughts that envelope their mind, and the emotions and feelings that surge through their body. With weight settled forward they should show for it. While ignoring their internal strife they should lean into the challenge. With discipline and determination they should execute actions confident, brave, and aggressive… …even when everything inside of them encourages the opposite. This is what it is to be mentally skilful. This is what it is to be mentally tough. This is what it is to be mentally strong. This is fearless football…and fearless football takes daily work

Daniel Abrahams

64,165 views • 9 months ago

“I have been a women’s lacrosse coach for more than 27 years. “I have been inducted into three halls of fame for coaching and contributing to the growth of lacrosse, and there is an award in my name. “Oberlin College removed me from coaching women’s lacrosse after I chose to publicly tell my story and refused to be silent or back down about my belief that men—no matter how they self-identify—should not be allowed to compete in women’s sporting events.” Kim Russell, Former Head Women’s Lacrosse Coach at Oberlin College
6:22

“I have been a women’s lacrosse coach for more than 27 years. “I have been inducted into three halls of fame for coaching and contributing to the growth of lacrosse, and there is an award in my name. “Oberlin College removed me from coaching women’s lacrosse after I chose to publicly tell my story and refused to be silent or back down about my belief that men—no matter how they self-identify—should not be allowed to compete in women’s sporting events.” Kim Russell, Former Head Women’s Lacrosse Coach at Oberlin College

Oversight Committee

3,781,788 views • 2 years ago

🔥DNI Tulsi Gabbard is on FOX to discuss the release yesterday. "WE HAD PEOPLE WHO DID NOT WANT TO ACCEPT THE WILL OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND COOKED UP A YEARS LONG COUP AGAINST THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES" - Tulsi "No one no matter who they are no matter how HIGH UP THEY ARE or how powerful they may be, no matter who the intelligence officials are that were part of this treasonous conspiracy...There must be accountability The truth must be shown to the American people to ensure there is faith/trust & integrity in our Democratic Republic." - Gabbard Asked if we will see charges DNI Tulsi Gabbard says, " I am not a lawyer..we are referring all this to the DOJ. I know AG Bondi is committed to BRINGING ABOUT JUSTICE to those who have broken the law"
6:39

🔥DNI Tulsi Gabbard is on FOX to discuss the release yesterday. "WE HAD PEOPLE WHO DID NOT WANT TO ACCEPT THE WILL OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND COOKED UP A YEARS LONG COUP AGAINST THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES" - Tulsi "No one no matter who they are no matter how HIGH UP THEY ARE or how powerful they may be, no matter who the intelligence officials are that were part of this treasonous conspiracy...There must be accountability The truth must be shown to the American people to ensure there is faith/trust & integrity in our Democratic Republic." - Gabbard Asked if we will see charges DNI Tulsi Gabbard says, " I am not a lawyer..we are referring all this to the DOJ. I know AG Bondi is committed to BRINGING ABOUT JUSTICE to those who have broken the law"

Johnny St.Pete

185,750 views • 1 year ago

This World Cup has shown how Argentinian players are just built different, and it was interesting because, in the press conferences, both managers addressed this. First, Tuchel talks about the Argentinian value of the ball and how they protect the ball at all costs, how they manage those small spaces, and how they learn this from a young age. He references culture, and this is exactly it. A child playing in a certain environment leads to that. Not every Argentinian child is on the national team, but it raises the ceiling. It creates a certain type of style and a certain type of player. Then Scaloni also references his culture. He sees them play without fear of losing. It comes from playing in an environment where you are constantly faced with the potential of losing and being able to play with that pressure, right? They don’t fight against it. They play with it. They use it. And I think this is where youth football coaches should really take note. This does not mean we should copy and paste Argentinian culture into every training environment, because culture cannot just be copied. But the values within that culture can be inculcated in every training environment. The value of the ball. The courage to receive it in small spaces. The ability to protect it under pressure. The confidence to keep playing after a mistake. The willingness to play with the possibility of losing rather than constantly trying to avoid it. Those values can become part of the environment we create every day. They can be present in the games we design, in what we praise, in what we allow players to struggle with, and in how we respond when they lose the ball. If every mistake leads to the coach stopping the session, giving the answer, or taking the pressure away, then players never learn to play with that pressure. They learn to wait for the coach. It was cool to see how two managers, at such a big stage, reference culture and the environments that kids play in when they’re young. Because the players we see on the biggest stage were not only created by tactics or coaching information. They were created by environments that taught them what to value, how to relate to the ball, and how to play when there was something to lose.
1:47

This World Cup has shown how Argentinian players are just built different, and it was interesting because, in the press conferences, both managers addressed this. First, Tuchel talks about the Argentinian value of the ball and how they protect the ball at all costs, how they manage those small spaces, and how they learn this from a young age. He references culture, and this is exactly it. A child playing in a certain environment leads to that. Not every Argentinian child is on the national team, but it raises the ceiling. It creates a certain type of style and a certain type of player. Then Scaloni also references his culture. He sees them play without fear of losing. It comes from playing in an environment where you are constantly faced with the potential of losing and being able to play with that pressure, right? They don’t fight against it. They play with it. They use it. And I think this is where youth football coaches should really take note. This does not mean we should copy and paste Argentinian culture into every training environment, because culture cannot just be copied. But the values within that culture can be inculcated in every training environment. The value of the ball. The courage to receive it in small spaces. The ability to protect it under pressure. The confidence to keep playing after a mistake. The willingness to play with the possibility of losing rather than constantly trying to avoid it. Those values can become part of the environment we create every day. They can be present in the games we design, in what we praise, in what we allow players to struggle with, and in how we respond when they lose the ball. If every mistake leads to the coach stopping the session, giving the answer, or taking the pressure away, then players never learn to play with that pressure. They learn to wait for the coach. It was cool to see how two managers, at such a big stage, reference culture and the environments that kids play in when they’re young. Because the players we see on the biggest stage were not only created by tactics or coaching information. They were created by environments that taught them what to value, how to relate to the ball, and how to play when there was something to lose.

David Garcia

170,444 views • 2 months ago