Tips contributed by Techne's team of current and former professional soccer players and coaches.
Soccer is often called "The Beautiful Game," in part because it requires a combination of so many skill sets to be successful. To become a great soccer player, you must train your technical skills, physical fitness, mental toughness, and strategic thinking. If you want to achieve a high level in the game, it's important to set goals and work towards achieving them. Here we explore insights from professional players on how to set and achieve goals in soccer.
1. Set Specific Goals
The first step to achieving any goal is to set a specific target. In soccer, this could mean setting a goal to complete more passes, increase your speed, or score more goals. The more you can identify what success looks like, the greater your chance of getting there. If a goal is specific it's easier to plan your route to get there.
Examples:
I want to get at least 8 assists this season.
This offseason, I want to improve my vertical jump by 1 inch.
2. Make Goals Measurable
It's important to make your goals measurable so that you can track your progress. Everyone wants to 'run faster' and have 'a better first touch', but how can you know if you are actually improving in those areas? This is where you must think strategically and pay close attention. Come up with things you can time, track, or count. Remember: Measurable goals don't all have to be outcome goals. You can also measure process goals, like your commitment to training.
Examples:
I will do Techne Mental Training every night before bed for a month.
I will beat my juggling record before the end of the year.
3. Set Realistic Goals
While it's important to set ambitious goals, it's also important to make them realistic. Setting unrealistic goals can lead to frustration and disappointment. Both long- and short-term goals are important. If your ultimate goal is to be a professional soccer player, think about what you need to achieve this year or this month in order to bring you closer to that objective. All top-level players dream big, but they also create realistic benchmarks for themselves en route.
Examples:
I want to improve my score on the beep test by two levels.
I want to make the Varsity team this year.
4. Write Goals Down!
Even if you can remember your goals, there is power in writing them down. When you commit something to writing - or when you tell someone else - you take on a new level of accountability. Keep track of your goals in writing, update them as you need, and check them off your list as you achieve them!
5. Create a Plan
A goal is only as good as the goal-setter's plan to get there. Creating a plan for achieving your goals can help you stay focused and motivated. This could include setting deadlines, scheduling practice sessions, and tracking your progress. The Techne App helps players create training plans and schedule extra work with reminders to hold you accountable.
Setting and achieving goals is a crucial part of becoming a successful soccer player. By following the insights of professional players, you can set specific, measurable, realistic, and achievable goals, break them down into smaller steps, and create a plan to achieve them. With dedication and hard work, you can turn your soccer dreams into reality.