Top 5 things to try if you've lost your spark for soccer
If your player has lost their spark for soccer, you’re not alone. It happens more often than people talk about especially in competitive youth soccer environments like Encinitas and North County San Diego. What once felt fun can start to feel heavy. Practices become routine. Games feel stressful instead of exciting. The key isn’t pushing harder or adding more training. It’s reconnecting with why they started in the first place. Confidence, creativity, and joy don’t disappear overnight but they do need space to come back. Here are five simple ways to help your athlete rediscover their love for the game.
5. Try something new - Beach, futsal, juggling, a soccer class… try anything that allows you to move with the ball in a new way. Try listening to music and just remember to have FUN!
4. Write down your goals and what is most important to you in regards to soccer. Remember that you don’t always have to be the best but you should try to give your best! When you accomplish those goals reward yourself - when you succeed in achieving a goal, be it a big one or a small one, make sure to recognize the work you put in to get there!
3. Call a friend or mentor - Play a casual fun soccer game with a friend or start up a challenge where you work towards a goal together. Talking to someone who has been in your shoes or shares the same experiences can be so helpful.
2. Remember why you started - Try to focus on the parts of soccer that make you feel alive! Maybe its scoring goals, connecting with your teammates, mastering a skill you’ve been working on. Take notice of the parts of soccer that include negativity and refuse to allow those to interfere with your progress and mindset.
1. Take a break - Soccer is just a part of your journey but it doesn't have to be your identity. The best thing you can do is to spend some time with a soccer ball in a way that inspires your creative confidence. Soccer will always be there but if your body and mind is telling you to chill then thats what you need to do! Think positively - Positive thinking is a major factor in success. So instead of mulling over things that didn’t go quite right, remind yourself of things that did well.
New Day was built around the idea that positivity, in all that you do will, take you much farther than if you were surrounded by negativity. Each New Day is a chance to start fresh and achieve your goals. If you are ever experiencing a soccer burnout or just need to be inspired again I am always available to chat! Please email nick@newdaysoccer.com
