1. Teamwork
Soccer requires teamwork. Each player has a different and important role. Everyone must communicate and work together to play the game. Teammates have to trust each other to do their job. They build confidence in each other. Being on a team helps one relate to, trust and communicate with others. In life there are many instances where we are part of a team or group and must work towards a common goal.
“Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.” Henry Ford
2. Discipline
Soccer teaches self-discipline. Self-control and self-awareness are key to a player’s success. Not just in the physical sense, but also in the emotional sense. Players must be able to monitor their behavior in order to be successful. In life we need self-discipline in school, work, and everyday life. People with strong self-discipline skills always do better in life.
3. Hard work
Hard work pays off! To be a good soccer player one must practice consistently. The professional players were not good at soccer when they first set foot on a field. They worked hard to get where they are and practice consistently to maintain their success. Hard work is required to achieve results. However, one of the hardest lessons is hard work does not guarantee success. That’s why it’s important to take pride in one’s effort and always learn from your experiences.
4. Setting Goals
Soccer players are constantly looking for ways to improve their game. Setting measurable goals helps them improve as it does anyone. Morgan Brian of the US Women’s National Soccer Team talks about and shows how her coach had her create SMART goals when she was in high school. She also mentions how she would wake up and write five goals on her bathroom mirror every morning. Check out her video by clicking HERE. Check out Student Futures post on goal setting HERE.
5. Perseverance
Life isn’t always fair. Let go of mistakes. Acknowledge them. Learn from them. Then, move past them. Soccer is challenging physically and mentally. The game demands perseverance. Losing a game or getting injured can affect a player’s confidence and sometimes quitting can be tempting. It’s inspiring to watch players on the field. So many fall and get right back up. Players make mistakes and continue to play game after game. In life we must deal with situations as they arise and persevere through a variety of circumstances.
6. Risk-Taking
One moment can change everything! We have to be willing to take risks to get ahead in the game. Risk taking commands mental toughness. Soccer players learn how to be brave, tough and aggressive and prepared for games. A player may shoot for a goal from midfield and might fail. They could also make the goal. Dealing with failure is a part of taking risks. If you don’t fail, then how do you know when you’ve succeeded? In life we must take risks to get ahead. Risk taking leads to new ideas and experiences. When we fail it’s important to keep a growth mindset, learn from the experience, and decide what to do differently in the future. Keep learning!
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Student Futures’s goal is to motivate and help students achieve their dreams through Academic Coaching. Know a teen who needs help getting on the right track to success? Click here to contact Student Futures today to set up an initial academic coaching consultation with Academic Coach, Melanie Black to learn more about how we help teens achieve their dreams and become masters of their own path to success.
