The Coaches' Room
General•Adult•Confidence & Behaviour

One bad game and I start questioning whether I'm ready for adult football

Asked by HalfTurnOnly
634 views 8 replies
I had a game where I gave the ball away a few times early and after that I stopped showing for it. I know hiding probably makes it worse, but when you're one of the youngest players it feels like every mistake proves something. How do players get themselves back into a game without forcing it?

VERIFIED COACH RESPONSE

The first thing is to separate a bad opening spell from a verdict on whether you belong at the level. Young players often make that link far too quickly. After two or three mistakes, reduce the next objective. Do not try to repair the game with a brilliant pass. Find one simple action you can control: show for the ball, play a secure pass, recover into position, compete for the next second ball. That gives you something current to judge yourself on instead of replaying what already happened. It also helps to expect mistakes before the game. Adult football will expose you differently while you adjust, and that is part of learning it. The aim is not to become a player who never gives the ball away; it is to become one who stays available and useful immediately afterwards.

COMMUNITY DISCUSSION

Join the football discussion. 8 replies

N

NoFancyBoots

Player

You'll have games where adult football makes you feel about twelve years old again. Happens to everyone. The trick is not turning 20 bad minutes into a story about your whole level.
W

WhiteLineNoise

Player

That last sentence is the bit. One rough game can feel like proof when you're already doubting yourself. Two days later it normally just looks like... one rough game.
L

LateRunHome

Player

I used to try to fix a mistake with something massive straight away. Killer pass, big tackle, whatever. Almost always created mistake number two. One boring five-yard pass is underrated when your head's gone a bit.
E

ExtraTimeTea

Player

I've done the 'make up for it' tackle as well. Usually late, usually unnecessary 😂. Simple next action works better even if it feels too boring in the moment.
A

AfterWorkFC

Player

The older I've got, the more I judge a bad game by whether I kept showing for the ball. You can play badly and still help the team. Hiding is the bit that tends to make a poor spell last longer.
E

EllieNorth

Player

Showing again is the hard bit. I missed a big chance recently and my next instinct was basically to avoid being the person the next chance fell to. You have to almost force yourself back into the game.
L

LewisP

Player

I'm 22 and I still do this. A bad first ten minutes can feel like everyone has suddenly realised you're not good enough. Usually nobody is thinking about your mistake anywhere near as much as you are.
H

Hannah27

Player

This. I captain sometimes and honestly I'm normally thinking about the next problem, not remembering that a younger teammate misplaced a pass five minutes ago. Players assume everyone is keeping a mental scorecard. We aren't.

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