YOUSTRIVE PROCESS - STEP 5

Special Moments

When completing Step 5 of your YouStrive Mental Training Journal, use the examples specific to your position or create your own Special Moments.

Scroll down to see suggestions for Goalkeepers, Centre-backs, Full-backs, Midfielders, Wingers, Strikers

Goalkeepers

When my CB has the ball...
I am scanning to see where my teammates are and creating an angle to support 

When I play long...
I am keeping my eyes on the ball, driving through the ball, following through keeping my chest facing my target

When I catch the ball...
I am running quickly to the edge of the box and scanning the field for the best option

When I throw the ball...
I am throwing flat and fast into my teammate’s path

When I punt/drop kick the ball...
I am watching the ball onto my foot, making a clean connection

When we are defending a corner...
I am talking to my teammates and organising them

When I set up my wall...
I am loud and clear with my teammates and what I want

When I come for crosses...
I am loud, aggressive and command my area

When the ball is whipped in behind my defenders... 
I am brave and aggressive as I attack the ball

When an attacker lines up to shoot from distance...
I am setting my feet

When an attacker is running at me 1v1...
I am quick off my line, staying big …

When I dive...
I am moving my feet quickly and pushing off with power

When I punch...
I am punch with height and distance away from goal

When my team has possession in the attacking half...
I am communicating and organising my team

When the opposition has the ball...
I am communicating with my teammates about where the attackers are

When I end up on the ground after a save or challenge...
I am quickly back to my feet ready for the next action

Center-Backs

When the opposition has time on the ball...
I am side on ready to press and challenge OR drop and cover

When my fellow defenders challenge for the ball...
I am dropping and covering

When my team are attacking...
I am organising my teammates to stop a counter attack

When the other team plays the ball wide...
I am opening my body to see the ball and my opponent

When I am challenging for a header...
I am keeping my eyes on the ball, jumping early and attacking the ball aggressively

When am defending an attacker 1v1...
I am staying low, side on and moving my feet quickly, forcing them to play back

When my opponent passes and moves...
I am quickly dropping to cover their run in behind me

When I go up for set pieces...
I am making two movements to lose my defender and attacking the ball aggressively

When the opposition line is high ...
I am looking for moments to play the ball in behind

When the other team shoots at our goal...
I am sprinting back to be first to the rebound

When I have space in front of me...
I am carrying the ball to commit my opponent before playing my teammate

When I see a forward option in between the lines...
I am disguising my pass and playing a firm pass to their feet

Full-Backs

When my CB has time on the ball...
I am level and outside my opponent and push my first touch forward

When the opposition has time on the ball facing forward...
I am side on ready to press and challenge OR side on ready to drop and cover

When I can create a 2v1 with my winger...
I am overlapping with pace to get in behind

When I am played in behind...
I am whipping the ball in behind the defence

When I cross the ball...
I am watching the ball onto my foot, balancing leg planted, following through across my body

When I am dribbling 1v1 in the attacking 3rd...
I am using a sharp bit of technique then bursting past the defender with a change of pace

When I play a 1-2...
I am passing and sprinting beyond the defender

When I am crossing the ball...
I am watching the ball onto my foot, balancing leg planted, following through across my body

When I cross from the endline...
I am cutting the ball back to a teammate or chipping the ball to the back post

When I shoot from distance...
I am watching the ball onto my foot, driving through the ball, following through at the target

When bending a shot at the side netting...
I am watching the ball onto my foot, balancing leg planted, following through across my body  at the side netting

When I defend an attacker 1v1...
I am staying low, side on, forcing them down the line, moving my feet quickly, ready to sprint

When I block a cross...
I am low, moving my feet quickly, doing everything I can to get in the way


Midfielders

When I have possession in midfield...
I am playing quickly. Receive, pass, move

When receiving the ball in behind the opposition midfield...
I am driving with the ball at pace at the opponent’s backline

When I have the ball in a 2 v 1 situation...
I am driving with the ball at the defender, committing him and playing my teammate in behind

When shooting from distance...
I am watching the ball onto my foot, pointing my toe, following through at my target

When my attacker makes a run in behind...
I am playing the ball in behind the defence into his/her path

When I am outside the box when my teammate crosses...
I am on my toes and first to any clearances

When attacking an incoming cross...
I am making two movements and attacking the ball 

When the ball is played into my striker...
I am quickly moving to support

When the ball is played past me to their striker...
I am turning and pressing the striker from the front

When I have time on the ball facing forward...
I am looking for options to play in behind or in between the lines

When 1 on 1 with the goal keeper...
I am taking a quick look at the goal, picking my spot and scoring

When the ball drops in midfield...
I am on my toes and quickest to react 


Wingers

When the defence is high and my teammate has time on the ball facing forward...
I am sprinting across the line and in behind the defence

When my opponent presses me tight...
I am making two movements and sprinting in behind him/her

When played in behind out wide...
I am whipping the ball in behind the defence

When 1 on 1 with the goal keeper...
I am taking a quick look at the goal, picking my spot and scoring

When crossing...
I am watching the ball onto my foot, balancing leg planted, following through across my body

When crossing from the endline...
I am cutting the ball back to a teammate or chipping the ball to the back post

When shooting from distance...
I am watching the ball onto my foot, toe pointed, driving through the ball, following through at the target

When shooting first time...
I am watching the ball onto my foot, making a clean connection and following through at the target

When my teammate crosses the ball...
I am making two movements, and attacking the ball

When heading on goal...
I am attacking the ball, jumping early, heading down through the ball at the target

When bending a shot at the side netting...
I am watching the ball onto my foot, balancing leg planted, following through across my body at the side netting

When dribbling 1v1 in the final third...
I am using a sharp bit of technique then bursting past the defender with pace

When I play a 1-2...
I am sprinting in behind my defender

When my teammate shoots...
I am sprinting after it and scoring the rebound

Strikers

When shielding the ball under pressure...
I am strong, protecting the ball, finding a team mate and moving into space

When the defence is high and my teammate has time on the ball...
I am arcing my run in behind the defence

When 1 on 1 with the keeper...
I am taking a quick look at the goal, picking my spot and scoring

When attacking a cross...
I am making two movements and attacking the ball

When shooting first time...
I am watching the ball onto my foot and making a clean connection

When receiving the ball in and around the box...
I am taking a sharp first touch into space and striking on goal

When dribbling 1v1 in the attacking third...
I am using a sharp bit of technique then bursting past the defender with pace

When my teammate shoots...
I am sprinting after it and scoring the rebound

When the defence is deep...
I am making two movements and receiving the ball in between the lines

When the ball drops in the box...
I am on my toes and quickest to react

When shooting from distance...
I am watching the ball onto my foot, pointing my toe, driving through the ball, following through at the target

When heading on goal...
I am attacking the ball, jumping early, heading down through the ball at the target

When bending a shot at the side netting...
I am watching the ball onto my foot, balancing leg planted, following through across my body at the side netting


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