The Missing Piece: Unlocking the Hidden Advantage in Football
When you think about what it takes to reach the highest levels in the game and truly excel there, you think about strength, speed, skill and toughness. You think of the training you have put in to prepare your body to withstand the grind of a season and to deliver when it matters most.
But there is one piece that often gets left behind - and it’s the piece that actually separates the good from the great. It’s your mind and mental game.
Ask any group of professional athletes how much of their game is mental and you will hear the same numbers over and over again: “60%, 70%.” “80%…”
But then ask them how many actively train their mind with the same commitment and intensity as they train their body - and the numbers drop dramatically. It’s not that they don’t believe in the power of the mental game, it’s that very few are shown how to truly develop it.
Why the Mind Gets Overlooked
1) It’s invisible. You can’t see mindset reps the way can see a bench press, sprint times or pass completions.
2) It’s misunderstood. Many think you’re either ‘born with it’ or you’re not - when in reality, mental strength is built through habits, discipline, routines and strategies.
3) It’s uncomfortable. Mental game work asks you to be vulnerable, and that goes against the grain of one of the most common myths in sport- That’s a sign of weakness. Myth Busting: Looking honestly at your fears, beliefs, focus, preparation, coping skills, and ability to manage pressure - That’s hard. But that’s where the growth and opportunity actually lie.
The Mind is Your Multiplier
Hard truth - If you want to break through your own glass ceiling, it’s time to turn your focus to your mental game. Research from Harvard shows that athletes who cultivate positive mental states - confidence, focus, resilience, emotional control and composure - perform 31% better than those that don’t. That’s not a small edge. It’s a game changer.
Three Mental Strategies You Can Start Using Today
There’s no magic switch that instantly makes you mentally stronger. But there are proven tools that elite performers across every sport use to strengthen their mental game. Here are three techniques you can start applying immediately:
- Master the “Three R’s” Reset
Routine Mistakes happen. Even the greats miss tackles, drop passes, throw interceptions and blow coverages. What separates the truly elite players isn’t that they avoid mistakes — it’s their ability to reset faster. Use this quick 3-step routine whenever you feel frustration, anger, or distraction pulling you off track:
Recognize — Notice that you’re off. (“I’m stuck on the last play.”)
Regroup — Acknowledge it without judgment. (“That play’s over. Staying stuck doesn’t help.”)
Refocus — Set a clear, next-play focus. (“What’s my job right now? Execute it.”)
Add in the Acronym - W.I.N - What’s Important Now?!
This technique is simple but powerful. By practicing quick cognitive shifting, you shorten the mental “lag time” between plays, keeping you locked in where it matters: the next moment.
- Get Your Attention Off the Outcome — and Onto the Process
One of the fastest ways to lose control mentally is to get obsessed with results: “I need this first down,” “We can’t lose this drive,” “If I miss this tackle, it’s over.”
Instead, train yourself to zoom in on your process. Before every snap, anchor your mind to a controllable action cue: “Explode off the line.” “Low pad level.” “Finish the tackle.”
Top athletes aren’t thinking about winning every moment — they’re focusing on executing the details of their job. Stack enough high-quality actions, and the results take care of themselves.
Use the CUE PHRASE: Commit to the process
- Reframe the Stress
Research shows that the way you interpret pressure physically changes the chemicals released from your brain, and ultimately your performance.
Athletes who view pressure as a threat perform worse — slower reaction times, more errors. Athletes who view pressure as a challenge perform better — sharper focus, higher resilience.
Use the CUE PHRASE: C or T?? (Challenge or Threat?)
Identify the threat and convert it to a challenge:
Instead of “This is do-or-die,” Replace it with “This is what I’m built for.”
Instead of “What if I mess up?” Replace it with “Time to compete.”
Instead of “I’m nervous,” Replace it with “I’ve put in the work, I’m ready for this moment.”
The Future of the Game Is Mental
As football keeps evolving, the next frontier of performance isn’t just bigger, faster, stronger — it’s mentally sharper. The players who can regulate their focus, shift their mindset under fire, and reset faster than their opponents will be the ones who separate themselves.
Just like seeing a chiropractor or physio helps your body perform at its best, working with a therapist helps your mind perform at its best. All therapy is performance-enhancing. Seeking help is never a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength. If the goal is to play at your highest level, taking care of your mental health should be as routine and respected as any other part of your training.
The MIND leads the body - You’ve put in the work physically- Make sure your mind is strong enough to take advantage of it so you can push and perform to your potential.
Written by: Brenley Shapiro, MSW, RSW, RP
Sport Psychology & Performance Consultant
Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist
Founder & President Heads Up High Performance
PWHL Ottawa, Director of Mental Performance & Player Wellness
Peterborough Petes, OHL, Mental Performance Coach, OHL Champion (23)
Arizona Coyotes, NHL, Mental Performance Coach (2018-2023)
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