Focused for soccer

196 Pages·2001·32.636 MB·English

by  Bill Beswick

L
A
WINNING
DEVELOP
MENTAL APPROACH
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Focused
for
occer
Bill Beswick
Human
Kinetics
NOV 2 9 2000
Library ofCongress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Beswick. Bill.
Focused for soccer / Bill Beswick
p. cm.
Includes bihlioi»raphical references (p. ) and index.
ISBN {)-rM\{)-:m2-(\
1. Soccer-f^sychological aspects. 1. Title.
GV943.9.P7B47 2()()1
796.334-dc21
ISBN: 0-7360-3002-6
Copyright ©2001 by Bill Beswick
All rights reserved. Except for use in a review, the reproduction or utilization of
this work in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now
known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying, and record-
ing,andinanyinformationstorageandretrievalsystem, isforbiddenwithoutthe
written permission ofthe publisher.
DevelopmentalEditor:KentReel;AssistantEditor:KimThoren:CopyeditorBob
Replinger;Proofreader:PamelaS.Johnson;IndexenDanielA.Connolly: Permis-
sion Manager: Cheri Banks; Graphic Designer: Nancy Rasmus: Graphic Artist:
Kim Maxey;PhotoManagerClarkBrooks;CoverDesignerJackW. Davis;Cover
Photo: © Action Images; Art Manager Craig Newsom; Illustrator Dawn Sills;
Printer Versa Press
Human Kinetics books are available at special discounts for bulk purchase.
Specialeditionsorbookexcerptscanalsobecreatedtospecification. Fordetails,
contact the Special Sales Manager at Human Kinetics.
987654321
Printed in the United States ofAmerica 10
Human Kinetics
Web site: www.humankinetics.com
UnitedStates: Human Kinetics
PO. Box 5076, Champaign, IL61825-5076
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e-mail: [email protected]
Canada: Human Kinetics
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/am afraid that it was ratherlate in life thatIrealized
that the family was the most important team,
and am glad ofthe chance to dedicate this book
to my wife, Val, and my two sons, Robert andPhilip.
contents
Foreword
vii
Preface ix
Acknowledgments
xi
Introduction: The Complete Soccer Player xiii
1 Psychological Profile
Player Assessment and Plan of Action 1
2 Confidence
Positive Mental Energy to Perform and Persist 17
3 Self-Control
Discipline of Thought and Emotion 33
4 Concentration
Direction and Intensity of Attention 51
5 Visualization
Image Becomes Reality 67
IV
6 Mental Toughness
Building a Winning Attitude 81
7 Competitiveness
Mental Preparation and Power for Matches 97
8 Communication
Sharing Information Effectively 109
9 Role Definition
Playing Within the Team Framework 125
10 Cohesion
Building a Unified Team 139
Coaching
11
Changing the Culture 1 53
References 165
Index 167
About the Author 171

foreword
ThemoreexperiencedIbecameincoachingsoccer, atboth profes-
sional and international levels, the more came to believe that
I
choices and attitudes governed physical performance. In 1993 my
team, Leeds United, won the English First Division championship
and, although theywere physicallygifted, am convinced that the
I
presence of a core of mentally tough players working within a
management strategy was the deciding factor.
Later in 1996, I was pleased to hear that Jim Smith of Derby
County had taken the forward-looking step of inviting a sports
psychologist.BillBeswick,tojoinhiscoachingstaff.Asheadcoach
oftheEnglandyouthandunder-21 team,IwasalsoabletoinviteBill
to contribute.
After three years of working alongside Bill, I am even more
convincedoftherolethatsports psychologycanplayinimproving
performance of both coaches and players. As technical director
with responsibilityfor playerdevelopment and coach education,
I
am delighted to welcome a book directed specifically to sports
psychology and soccer. All players and coaches can gain valuable
insights from it.
Howard Wilkinson
Technical Director, the Football Association
vii
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