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THE PSYCHOLOGICAL

DEMANDS OF ELITE SOCCER

David Platt

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Four Cornerstones of

the Elite Player:

Physical Fitness Technique

Tactics Mental Toughness

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Success starts in the Mind!

Commitment

Confidence Control

Concentration Communication

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1.0 COMMITMENT /

STANDARDS1.1 Attitude / Mentality

1.2 Effort and Work-rate

1.3 Discipline

1.4 Doing the best you can possibly do

1.5 Professionalism / Preparation

1.6 Being competitive / Will to win

1.7 Courage / Bravery

1.8 Practicing Realistically

1.9 Desire

1.10 Challenging Yourself

1.11 Setting high standards1.12 Having good physical condition to gain the mental edge

1.13 Following the Liverpool way of doing things

1.14 Punctuality

1.15 Being an ambassador for the club

1.16 Dedication

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2.0 CONCENTRATION

2.1 Fully focusing on what youre doing / Not switching off

2.2 Recovering mentally

2.3 Not being distracted

2.4 Starting the game well

2.5 Intensity / tempo of training2.6 Decision making

2.7 Awareness

2.8 Forgetting about mistakes immediately

2.9 Forgetting about problems in your life while playing

2.10 Switching between attacking and defensive mid-sets

2.11 Not arguing

2.12 Finishing teams off

2.13 Subs being ready to go on

2.14 Using Imagery

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3.0 COMMUNICATION /

TEAMSHIP3.1 Being close

3.2 Helping team-mates

3.3 Knowing your job / role in the team and carrying it out

3.4 Creating the practice / work atmosphere

3.5 Communication

3.6 Trust, honesty and reliability

3.7 Respect for others

3.8 Pride (in the football club / academy)3.9 Support of adults, family and friends

3.10 Leadership (Being a positive influence on team-mates/ Driving others on, encouraging and asking for more)

3.11 Unselfishness / We not me attitude

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4.0 CONFIDENCE

4.1 Positive thinking

4.2 Belief (in yourself and others)4.3 Enjoying attention

4.4 Body language

4.5 Taking responsibility4.6 Expressing yourself / being creative

4.7 Not being over or under confident

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5.0 CONTROL

5.1 Being in control of your emotions

5.2 Not getting frustrated, continuing to playyour game

5.3 Handling and reacting to mistakes andsetbacks

5.4 Staying composed under pressure

5.5 Handling the expectations and pressures ofbeing a professional footballer

5.6 Coping with unfamiliar experiences

5.7 Dealing with criticism5.8 Being aggressive when defending 1v1 orwhen coming for crosses as a keeper

5.9 Staying down to earth

5.10 Not playing the occasion / just another

game mentality

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World 11 Task

CannavaroControl

Ronaldo

Confidence

PuyolCommitment

Pirlo

Control

Gerrard

Concentration

Kaka

Confidence

Messi

Confidence

Van Nistelrooy

Commitment

Torres

Commitment

Terry

Communication

Cech

Concentration

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Questions?!!