How to Not Be Nervous Before a Soccer Game: 17 Proven Tips
As a soccer player, if butterflies in your stomach before games turn into paralysis once you step into the field, you’re not mentally weak, you’re just using the wrong approach when it comes to dealing with pre-game anxiety. The good news is that pre-game nerves are completely normal, they actually show that you care about performing well, and even professional players at the highest levels get nervous.
However, staying nervous once the whistle blows isn’t helpful and can hold you back from playing with confidence and enjoying the moment. The key is learning how to transform that nervous energy into focused excitement that actually improves your performance rather than limiting it.
As an amateur soccer player and coach, I’ve witnessed countless talented players underperform simply because they let pre-game anxiety control their mindset instead of using proven techniques to manage it better. That’s why in this guide, you’ll learn simple, effective tips and ways to calm your nerves, build a positive mindset, and step onto the field ready to perform at your highest level.
How do you Overcome Pre-Game Nerves in an Upcoming Game?
There are many ways to help you better manage pre-game nerves but the most important thing is by far prioritizing your preparation on and off the field for the day, weeks, months, and even years leading up to that specific day. The truth is there is no secret last-minute effort, meal, drill, video, or ritual that can replace the confidence that comes from consistent training, injury prevention work, and proper recovery, which involves sleep, nutrition, hydration, EMF exposure, and mitochondrial function.
With that being said, there are some practical techniques you can add to your routine to help you better manage nerves on game day. These tips become way more useful if you practice them consistently over a long period of time.
- Replace your negative mindset with a growth mindset
- Have confidence in your talent and hard work
- Develop a real passion for the game
- Forget about past losses, stay calm, and focus on the present moment
- Remember your goals for the season
- Develop a pre-game routine
- Perform breath work and breathing exercises
- Use different sports psychology techniques before the game
- Visualize your success
- Listen to music, a podcast, or interview of your favorite players
- Read a book
- Go on a long barefoot walk in nature
- See the sunrise and sunset daily
- Hangout with your team mates, friends, or family members
- Talk with someone special to you outside of the club
- Focus on what you can control
- Think of the nerves as excitement
- Pray to a higher power for positive energy
- Remember to have fun and enjoy the beautiful game
Final Thoughts
Feeling nervous before a soccer game is completely normal, but staying nervous once the game starts can have negative effects on your performance, so it is very important to understand how to get rid of or control these nerves. Pre-game nerves can cause tense muscles, excessive sweating, and negative self-talk, but techniques like breathing exercises, visualization, and a solid pre-game routine can help calm down these nerves.
By preparing properly and following the tips on this list, you can overcome performance anxiety and get back to enjoying playing the beautiful game.
FAQs
How do you get rid of performance anxiety on a big game day?
To get rid of performance anxiety on a big game day, focus on calming your nerves with breathing exercises, a solid pre-game routine, and positive self-talk. You can also interact with teammates, listen to music, and visualize success to shift your mindset from fear to confidence.
Remember that to enjoy playing the beautiful game you must trust your training and master how to turn pre-game jitters into positive energy for peak performance.
What should I do 2 hours before a soccer game?
Two hours before a soccer game, focus on the preparation techniques mentioned in this guide like developing your pre-game routine, performing breathing exercises, and engaging in calming activities such as listening to music or visualizing success. Use this time to replace negative thoughts with a growth mindset and focus on what you can control rather than worrying about the outcome.
How to play calm in soccer?
To play calm in soccer, apply the strategies from this guide improve your overall talent, mindset, athleticism, fitness, and recovery while focusing on the present moment and using breathing techniques during breaks in play. Remember to think of nerves as excitement rather than fear, trust your preparation and training, and maintain the perspective that soccer is meant to be enjoyed rather than something that causes you stress and anxiety.
