The Journey- Reducing Fear of Failure in Youth Football
- 1. Training and games should be seen as learning environments where players can concentrate on mastering the skills needed. Ajax is a great example they do something similar in their youth system; everything is about getting better players. Use drills where the players can compare against themselves previously and that reduce opportunity for players to compare against each other.
- 2. Promote where possible the journey. For example What is the first question a parent asks their child when they pick them up from the game?...’Did you win?’ This immediately increases in the athletes mind the outcome of the game and feelings of fear if the team did not win. Perhaps a better question would be ‘How did you play?’ This makes them think about their performance and their journey as opposed to the end destination.
- 3. Reward the journey not the destination. Things like effort and the right techniques should be rewarded. This will encourage them to try things and have no fear of failure.
- 4. Never criticise mistakes as players will soon become afraid to try things for fear of the criticism they will get.


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Rob Robson
Sport and Business Psychologist, Warwickshire