In a huge game like this, players need to focus on their individual role
The stakes are high for both clubs in this weekend’s Championship play-off final. For each player, the key is to focus not on the occasion but on their individual role and responsibilities.
This week I’m sure both managers will utilise training to remind the players of what they and the team do best – what’s worked when they’ve played well this season.
On the day itself, the players need to clear their minds in the morning, don’t overthink things too much, and remind themselves of their specific role within the team.
I’ve worked with many players and feel the best approach on such a big occasion is for them to be absolutely clear about their own role and what’s expected of them on the day.
All a player can do is their job. What else happens around them isn’t something they have control over.
And in a sense, there needs to be an acceptance that if the opposition play a great game, they may well win. All a player can do is make sure they carry out their responsibilities on the pitch – their individual battle – in the best way possible.
There’s often talk in these type of situations of players ‘visualising success’.
The issue with that is that by only visualising things going well, a player isn’t preparing for other scenarios and is thinking about things beyond his own role – things he may not be able to control.
What happens if the momentum goes against the team? Players need to be prepared for that rather than simply imagining success.
There will almost certainly be times during any game when the momentum is against a team. Both managers I’m sure will prepare their players for this. It’s something they need to be ready for and have an understanding of how they might respond.
Preparing for this is also guarding against over confidence – and that’s important. Players need to have confidence but it’s important this doesn’t slip in to taking things for granted.
I’ve worked at QPR and have also worked extensively with Derby’s Richard Keogh, who features a lot in my book, Soccer Tough. He’s worked really hard and I know both clubs are desperate to be in the Premier League.
Rangers have more experience but you can bet your bottom dollar that once that whistle blows Derby will be going for it, and they may well feel they can play with more freedom and ‘dare to lose’ against a team who were widely expected at the start of the season to get promoted.
Regardless of who’s under more pressure or the importance of the game, the task for a player is to be able to come off that Wembley pitch and say ‘I did my job well’. That’s the bit they can control. Whatever else goes on around them they can’t.
Dan Abrahams is a leading sports psychologist from west London who has worked with a number of clubs – including QPR – and high-profile players. He is also the author of two books; Soccer Brain and Soccer Tough.
For more information visit www.danabrahams.com
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