Motivating players in 7 a-side

[74offsuit]

Originally Posted by scooge

My u10 girls had the same problem last week. I asked them flat out what was the issue. They responded that they were "afraid of the other team." The size of the other girls intimadated our group into standing around watching. They were afraid to move to the ball.

Yes, a common one.

To paraphrase Raillo (I am now a full disciple )

Take the fear out of the situation and replace it with respect.

It is ok to respect opponents, it is ok to respect defeat etc. but never fear them.

Imagine you have to walk along a 20cm wide girder on the ground. A task most of us would find very easy.

Now put the girder 30m up and try to walk it.

Objectively the task is the same, but performance anxiety is now going to play a massive part.