Breaking the tension before a crucial game

Big games are always tense for everyone involved – but, as coaches, it is our responsibility to put our own emotions aside and keep our players calm and level-headed, to give them the best chance of success.

It is likely that the match is all we have thought about all week – contemplating the most effective starting line-up, who to substitute and when, what formation would be best.

But my advice, based on experience, is: Pause and take a breath.

My U13s girls grassroots team had a League Cup semi-final a few weeks ago. Our league season had been a bit up-and-down, with it being our first year of 11-a-side, but we had had much more success in cup games. 

However, preparation for this match wasn’t ideal as our usual goalkeeper (and captain) got an injury in the week leading up to the match that would sideline her for two to four weeks.

We knew the weather wouldn’t be on our side, and, lo and behold, the pitch was in very poor condition on the day of the match. 

We also knew our opposition would be strong, having previously played them in the league. 

At times like this, when lots of external circumstances seem to be going against you, I believe it’s even more important to know what your values are as a coach. Let those values be your lifejacket.

 

Training approach

Preparations for a big match will start with training.

Make sure your training session is planned in advance and that you know what coaching points you want to draw out. Perhaps also determine which individuals you are going to give some extra guidance to. 

If it’s a cup game, it might be worth dedicating a bit of time at the end of the session to practising a penalty shoot-out, including the solo walk up to the spot. 

Few players feel comfortable taking them, so it is best to practise first when they are in a safe environment to fail. 

You could even scatter penalty training throughout your season so that it is not specifically associated with preparation for a big cup match.

 

Pre-match activities

Tag, or any variation of it, is a great arrival activity to get your players into a good mood on a big matchday.
They immediately forget about the match ahead of them, relax and focus on laughing with their team-mates. 

Of course, it also gets the body nice and warm and allows players to practise all of the evasive movements they are going to need during the game.

 

Mind your language!

We tend to hype up ‘big games’ more than any other – but to the players in front of us, every match holds a similar importance.

 

You should avoid using any different language or tone that might provoke anxiety in your players, such as insisting on winning the game, or playing in a certain way. 

Unless you normally talk to your players like this, and they expect it from you, suddenly demanding a win or a playing style, when you never normally would, can feel out of character to your players.

Just before kick-off in our semi-final, I spoke to our players about playing without fear.