Understanding Self-Doubt in a talented Footballer

July 24, 2025

Beliefs and expectations are powerful drivers of human behaviour. They influence our thoughts, feelings, and actions. They can either help us achieve our goals or hold us back from reaching our full potential. In football, beliefs and expectations play a crucial role in determining a player’s performance.

A player’s mindset, or their overall attitude towards themselves and their abilities, is shaped by their beliefs and expectations. If they believe they are capable of achieving their goals and have high expectations for themselves, they are more likely to perform at their best. On the other hand, if they have limiting beliefs or low expectations, they are more likely to under-perform and struggle with self-esteem and confidence.

Self-doubt is a common challenge for young talented footballers, often stemming from a variety of factors. These can include the pressure to perform, fear of failure, perfectionism, and negative self-talk. A young talented footballer may also compare themself to others, leading to feelings of inadequacy. It’s vital that you recognize the signs of your son/daughter self-doubting which can manifest as increased self-criticism, avoidance of challenges, and a decrease in performance.

By implementing the following strategies you can help your son/daughter develop not only confidence but also resilience, mental toughness, and a continuing love for football. These skills will benefit them both on and off the field, contributing to their overall well-being and success.

Strategies for Parents to Build Confidence

Foster a Growth Mindset: Encourage a growth mindset, emphasizing effort, learning, and improvement over innate talent or outcomes.
Praise Effort and Process: Focus on praising effort, dedication, and the process of improvement rather than solely on results. This helps develop a strong foundation in self-belief.
Set Realistic Expectations: Ensure expectations are challenging but achievable, inspiring increased commitment and effort without generating fear of failure.
Encourage Positive Self-Talk: Teach your son/daughter to identify and counter negative self-talk with positive affirmations. For example, instead of thinking “I can’t,” encourage them to think “Yes, I can if I just keep working at it.”
Focus on the Positives and Learning from Failures: Help your son/daughter to analyse failures to identify what they did well and areas for improvement. Be specific in describing what they did well and what they could do differently next time.
Encourage Open Communication: Create a safe space for your son/daughter to discuss their fears and doubts. The more comfortable they are confiding in you, the sooner they will talk about their fears and doubts.
Model Enthusiasm and Support: Show genuine interest in their sport and be supportive during games and practices. Your enthusiasm can be contagious and boost their motivation.
Help Them Stay Present: Encourage them to focus on the present moment, rather than dwelling on past mistakes or worrying about the future. This can help reduce anxiety and improve performance.
Avoid Unhelpful Communication: Be mindful of the words you use. Instead of saying “Just do your best,” which can create pressure, say “Give your best effort.”