The first 2 steps are in your head (intro)

I've often told you at practice or during pregame
talks, that one advantage you will always have is
your ability to think. Every one of you on this team
is blessed with intelligence and this is a thinking
man's game. If you compare it to football, a soccer
game is one big broken play. Unlike football where
everyone's responsibilities and movements are planned
and choreographed, soccer players must continually
analyze and adjust their movements and assignments.
This is one reason why you are constantly being coached
to "talk" on the field. Good communication is critical
to the success of the team.

There are three important aspects to your game; mental,
physical and skills. Obviously skills are the most
important part of your game. Everything is built on this
foundation. It doesn't make any difference what kind of
shape you are in if you can't pass the ball. Likewise
it doesn't matter how well you "read" the game if your
first touch is going to give up possession. This is why
it seems all of our practice time is spent on fundamental
skills like passing, shooting or dribbling.(however most
drills incorporate all three aspects in some manner.) Troy
and I and countless other coaches at camps, have worked
with you on skills. Brian has spent alot of time with you
on your physical conditioning. It's time now to at least
introduce you to some of the mental aspects of soccer.

The mental part of the game covers a lot of areas but there
are three that I would like to start with. I want to touch briefly
on "understanding the game", self confidence and visualization.
Tomorrow I'll begin with understanding the game. Let me just
say there are really only two paths to this understanding; playing
and watching the game. I say that to remind you Thursday is MLS
Primetime on ESPN2. If you need to be reminded here are some tips
on how to watch a game.