Most people will agree that football isn't merely a game. There's so much more to it. Haven't you noticed how emotions run high during the FIFA world cup? Or how much are players willing to do to ensure that they perform to their utmost potential?

Considering this, it's not really surprising that footballers experience a great deal of psychological distress. Indeed, sometimes, even achieving immense success in the game is not enough. It's alarming how many professional footballers suffer from anxiety and depression. When experienced and professional players react to the high-pressure environment in such a way, what can you expect from the upcoming talent?

How Young Talent Is Lost Due To Psychological Stress And Anxiety?

Let's not forget, football is pretty popular, not to mention demanding career ambition. There's the fact that the chances of becoming a professional player are minimal. Many professional football clubs recruit players at merely 8 years of age, making cuts until they are 16. The players who make the cut sign two-year contracts as full time scholars and have the opportunity to gain a professional contract. Players find it extremely challenging to obtain and maintain professional sports contracts. Considering all these factors, psychological stress and anxiety among young footballers are to be expected.

It's imperative that timely intervention is sought and measures are taken to remedy the situation.

The thing is, when young players step into the field, their raw talent makes them more emotional. They are extremely hard on themselves when they make a mistake. More often than not, in this earnest for perfection, they end up squandering the opportunity they had worked so hard for. Such conditions can cripple even the best of men.

The Importance Of Early Age Intervention Among Footballers

It's apparent that adolescence is the right time to intervene with athletes. It's during this period that they undergo a transition in their career and witness a significant increase in pressure. If appropriate support and training were provided to these players right from the beginning, cases like that of Robert Enke wouldn't be as common.

There's a lot that can be done to alleviate the pressure and lessen the stress on players. Footballers need to be armed with an appropriate coping mechanism which would enable them to deal with the high-pressure environment effectively.

Young athletes are made a part of potential training programs at quite an early age. Therefore, it's vital that they are also given the right kind of support, which not only nurtures their talent but also makes them psychologically strong. 

This will ensure that even if the players make mistakes or don't go on to become big names in football, they don't lose their identity. Athletes and young football players need to learn more about their value. 

They have to be taught about the place of sports in their life. At the same time, it should be ensured that the footballers feel valued during their training. They shouldn't question their self-worth after a bad game.

This is where Playmaker London can make a difference. Our training and mentoring enables players to maximize their opportunities as we also focus on helping them build their mental strength. Of course, keeping your calm in a game like football, where the pressure is high, is going to be challenging. But with little help from us, players can go a long way!