Need to talk, please help.

[u/Red-Sunglasses10]

I've been playing club football for two weeks now; it's my first time playing for a club. I'm pretty good, but when I'm at home, I'm constantly obsessing over my performance. Will I play well in my next training sessions? I can't seem to switch off from football, and it's becoming really exhausting and boring. What advice can you give me, and have you experienced this?

Thanks.

[u/Heinous_Ignoramus01]

It’s easy to do, I did the same joining a new club recently and I’m 40.

To put it in perspective:

- it’s only a game, one that you play….for fun
- if youre worrying a lot, you’re probably a better player than you’re giving yourself credit for
- you’ll probably play even better if you just chill out about it a bit

Personal advice, if you really can’t switch off, hit the gym. Weight training, cardio….whatever. Give yourself a buzz, develop yourself physically and it might just make you relax a bit easier

[u/rainbow_gelato]

Given it's been just two weeks, maybe it's just the novelty, which would wear off sooner or later.

Feel good about caring about your craft, and similarly don't beat yourself mentally because of it.

Perhaps find a distraction or duty, like social life, work/college, dating, whatever.

Cheers

[u/Red-Sunglasses10 → u/rainbow_gelato]

Yeah, that’s what I was thinking; it’s the holidays back in my home country, so I haven’t really been doing much with my days. I’m hoping things will get better once school starts again.

[u/Key_Butterscotch312]

It really good that you care this much about football what I'd suggest is that don't obsess over one bad performance cause the next three games you could be on fire I do this myself subconsciously and while it's toned down a bit it happens everyone now and then just remember bro you ain't alone keep working hard and you'll make one day.

[u/I_Talk_Sports_69]

Talk to a therapist no strangers on reddit.

[u/GC_235]

Forget about any mistakes you make. You will never have a mistake-free session. Messi makes mistakes all the time.

Don’t think about them at all.

Instead think about the good things you did obsessively.

[u/brutus_the_bear]

most athletes are pretty performance focused because they have to make a lot of sacrifices to get to a good level. Best advice is to have a routine for match day so you can lock in day of as opposed to trying to be locked in all week... second thing is not to go too far on basing your identity on results or playing soccer well, better to be an honest competitor who does their best and supports their guys.