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Mental toughness \u2013 the capacity to perform consistently and the high end of a players talent and skill, irrespective of competitive circumstances.\u00a0 There is such a narrow line between sporting success and mental collapse on the field, that the gap can be addressed with training and the correct mindset.<\/span><\/p>\n The Dutch psychologist, Geir Jordet, studied the impact of mental toughness \u2013 or fragility -in perhaps the most intense psychologically testing event possible in soccer.\u00a0 The penalty shoot-out.\u00a0 His findings are not unexpected, but can be applied to less intense sporting incidents.\u00a0 Firstly, tension mounts as the shoot out progresses, and if the contest is extended because the scores are level after five penalties each, then there is a sharp increase in the levels of stress on a player.<\/span><\/p>\n Jordet\u2019s work went a little further, investigating ways in which that stress can be alleviated.\u00a0 Again, his findings were not world shattering, but do reinforce the common sense approach to taking a penalty.\u00a0 He recommends that players decide well in advance where they are going to place their shot, the kind of run up they will do and how hard they will hit the ball \u2013 placement or power.\u00a0 They then visualize the ball going into the net.<\/span><\/p>\n That activity actually lowers heart rate, reducing the amount of adrenaline pumped through the body allowing muscles and movements to be better controlled.<\/span><\/p>\n Rachel Foxwell is another psychologist whose own findings are in line with those of Jordet.\u00a0 She also discovered a correlation between mounting pressure and player confidence.\u00a0 Once again, visualizing the ball entering the net, practicing the penalty in the mind before striking it, helps to control that pressure and reinstate player confidence.<\/span><\/p>\n Foxwell also highlighted that stress is increased by fear of failure.\u00a0 At the professional level, this can be fear of being publicly castigated in the press, or by the fans or manager.\u00a0 At the amateur level, while the risks might not seem as extreme, that sense of letting down one\u2019s team mates has the potential of being an immensely powerful influence on a players performance.<\/span><\/p>\n Paul Dent has worked in other sports to soccer, but sees the elements of mental strength in, say, field hockey as being similar to those of soccer.\u00a0 For him, the key is to develop an in the present mentality.\u00a0 He feels that worrying about the future, or dwelling on the past are both negative influences over which players have little control.\u00a0 Therefore, by concentrating on the present, players can be in the moment, and that immediacy reduces nerves, stress and tension.<\/span><\/p>\n Finally, the findings of a non-psychologist are worth considering.\u00a0 Andy Scott is a participant in extreme sports.\u00a0 For him, the preparation he does \u2013 mentally and physically \u2013 places him in the best position to undertake the challenges he chooses to face in his sporting life.\u00a0 There are some interesting thoughts to be found in the following video clip:<\/span><\/p>\n