Panic on the ball

Romanenko

I'm 25 and haven't played since underage, where I played center half back and midfield but I was never that into the sport. Now lately I have been getting more and more into the sport as a spectator and I want to make a return to club level. I'm into fitness anyway so I know I can be fast and strong but my issue before was always not knowing what to do on the ball. I mean, watching games as a spectator it seems so simple, but I remember playing underage and I had huge anxiety about being in possession and doing the wrong thing, usually I just gave the ball off to the first person that would take it, and probably limited myself as a player massively and in the end robbed myself of the ability to enjoy myself, hence why I stopped playing at minor.

I'm wondering if anybody else overcome these sorts of issue, and any tips on mental cues that I can use when I get on the ball, say as a center half back. I'll be working in Dublin during the week so advice on drills and skill work I could by myself would be great too. I would love to come back to playing this year and do myself justice.

nice_guy80

Being comfortable executing the skills at pace and under pressure
Also while looking up while moving and scanning the options

Then games. Lots of games.
Training sessions where lots of mini games and situations are practiced also help

Twiceasnice97

the best way to limit panic is to consciously take your steps when in possession.

the first thing you should do is put the ball down on a line on the field run up as fats as you can to the ball pick it , catch it and then take 5 steps as fast as you can.
stop then, turn around and see how far you have travelled. if its football throw the ball up in the air so its bouncing on the line as you run on to it.
then do the same thing with a toe tap for football or a tap on the hurley and take another 5 steps.

getting the sheer distance you can travel with the ball in your hand totally secure should help you to settle down a bit.

watch the ballyea goal v glen rovers in the munster club final from 36mins on the video. pause it as lillis catchs the ball and see where he is then pause again as he strikes and remember he only exposes the ball to danger for a second as he taps which means that he is making total use of his athleticism and strength and not relying on his skill level much

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4jy3sdTohI

when you start training take your steps with your head up before you play the ball

Romanenko

Sorryshould have said It's football btw, thanks for those tips! Great stuff