FIRST TIME a coach meet a new player, they see player’s BODY LANGUAGE.

Many young soccer players have lost many opportunities because of their body language alone. They show up to a tryout, showcase, game or interviews with a body language that screams laziness, lack of confidence or arrogance.

Our organization Zpro Futbol goalkeeping has trained thousands of goalkeepers all over the world.  One thing NEVER CHANGES is that the body language of an athlete will signal others if they are willing to make sacrifices, work hard or make things better for their team and themselves.   

For example, I’ve been part of training sessions where the goalkeeper steps on the field and he has an inspiring presence. But when they go play their matches, their body language immediately sends negative signals. 

Some goalkeepers/athletes will kick poles, curse, engage in loud SELF NEGATIVE TALKS, even cry when they get score on. By simply looking how they stand in the goal, anyone can tell if they are ready to compete or they are finished.

Your body language reveals everything about you:

Have you ever spoken to someone who seems to be in a hurry?  see their body reactions. What about when you in class, would you be able to tell those who are really interested in the class? just by the way they are sitting tells you how engaged they are in this class.  

Furthermore, your eyes can be looking at a person but your body is saying “i’m ready to go, you are boring”.

Tryouts:   Professional or ameteur

The FIRST thing coaches will notice from a player they never met is their body language.  At this point, what club, level or team you play for doesn’t matter.  What matters is YOUR first impression. Even how you introduce yourself to a coach says a tons about you.

For example, a weak handshake, no eye contact while you speak, very quiet, not able to carry a short conversation. These are huge red flags for a coach who is looking for players.

Here’s what’s interesting about body language, you do NOT have to say a word but you already speaking to the world by they way you stand, move or even walk. 

Furthermore, you can pretend to say ALL THE RIGHT THINGS in front of a coach but your body language will reveal whether you are sincere or not. Coaches will see right through this, it happens ALL THE TIME.

Your body language will reveal if you can handle pressure

During ID camps, club tryouts  and showcases athletes come to performance in front of coaches to get a spot in a team.  However, this added pressure makes MANY kids very nervous during these tryouts because they MUST MAKE A GOOD FIRST IMPRESSION. 

 Their nervousness causes them to make very simply mistakes.  Once this mistakes happens, some athletes tend to drop their shoulders and put out a very defeated & negative body language which simply kills their “good performance.” 

You can certainly bet coaches WILL ONLY REMEMBER how you reacted after a mistake.

Coaches can see all they need to see by simply observing your body language. If you are NOT able to make adjustments quickly it gets worse.

As a goalkeeper during college tryouts, Coaches want to see how you recover from adversity.  They do not want to have an athlete in their roster who they will have to babysit every regular season. 

Coaches do not want to deal with an athlete who is mentally weak while facing tough situations, it is NOT GOOD for team chemistry!!!

Tip:

To beat nervousness put your focus on your body language and check how your posture is. See what you can do to pick yourself up mentally & physically…focus on your BODY LANGUAGE.

Regular season games and big matches

Here’s where LOTS of amateur athletes show who they really are.  First things that some athletes /goalkeepers would do when they are losing or get scored on, is to blame someone else.   

However, other athletes or goalkeepers will lose control of the game and their effort becomes worthless.   This is a very dangerous attitude which brings severe psychological negative consequences to yourself and an entire team.

All of those non-verbal cues are clearly shown through your body language during games or big matches.  However, some goalkeepers / athletes are NOT able to see themselves fall apart because they’ve reached a level of frustration that is blinding their thought process.  Unless they make a conscious effort to make changes immediately.

Tip:

It is difficult to act as if nothing happens when you are struggling in big matches. However, you have NO other choice than to re-focus in fixing your body language.  Similar to a gymnast who did not perform well but at the end of their performance they still have to give the judges & crowd a beautiful smile.

Training

Often soccer players make mistake during training,  Some of them shrug their shoulders and act disappointed while others simply do not even care. 

Training is the perfect time to make major adjustments. “You play like you train”, if changes are not made in training then do not expect to simply make big changes during an important match.

Tips:

There is a STRONG relationship between your mind and your body. Our bodies will tell others what is in your mind through your body language. 

During training ALWAYS check on you body language and make it habit.  This approach will be a powerful to gain results.  100% body awareness is required.

In conclusion,

you can be playing a game in front of thirty thousand people. However, nobody will see what you are thinking but they will be able to read your body language. People, college coach, scouts & sport agents can easily see if you are seriously engaged in the game by looking at your body language. 

I encounter a number of goalkeepers who often come to training with an “attitude”.  It shows by the way the stand, cross their arms and shrug shoulders during our introductions or final word at the end of training. 

For any coach, it is extremely difficult to conduct a proper training when an athlete is standing as if he really do not care. They also make everyone very uncomfortable in the team. The same thing will happen when they play their league games, their body language will crush the team enthusiasm.

Remember, your body language screams positive or negative emotions.  You can literally lead a team or a group with you body language and without saying a word.  Therefore, pay attention to your body language because everyone is watching you!.