Lessons, from the beautiful game - Football / Soccer

"Lessons" as it can be applied elsewhere. I believe we learn best from experience, what you learn could apply elsewhere and could help in other experiences /situations.

I started playing football again when I was around 24 years old. I’ve played a bit before too but something was different. It was not just about having fun with friends now. I was now trying to understand the game, improve myself, my awareness and was thinking about winning. Like i would in a Video game.

That was 5 years ago. I’ve been playing since, despite major injuries and I’m hooked, still improving and learning.

Here are some points from what I learned from football and what you could experience playing too.

Lets get to it and I’ll try share more experiences when I can.

1. Awareness & anticipation. Stay present

Your time with the ball is limited. You need to be aware of the choices/options you have. Then you decide and act based on what you feel is the best option.(i.e quickly decide and acting on decision). You can also start thinking /Anticipating of your next few steps (advanced)

I need to believe in myself. I should stick to my instincts and take action.

Stay present, do your best and move forward. Otherwise, paranoia, regret, etc could quickly come your way and that’s just annoying.

2. Acting with intent and conviction.

As I write this, i recollect the many instances where I’ve failed to do this. Its painful and became evident to to me during one game. I had received the ball, the way I wanted. I knew in my head what the next step was, to move the ball into the empty space just behind and i could take on the one defender near me and get in front of goal. There was an opportunity. At the moment, I hear “pass” from a team-mate. I pass it back. It yields to nothing. Lost possession soon and an opposing shot on goal. Instant regret. Lesson learned. I need to trust in my thinking more. I seek my next opportunity to attack.

Its like Solo Queue, in a MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena) game. Sure you are in a team of 5, but you have a role to play and its upto you to survive and carry.

(Image, thanks to Mike! - https://www.pexels.com/photo/aerial-view-of-soccer-field-1171084/)

3. Practice / Preparation and Experience on the job will leads to better performance / efficiencies over time. You will build real confidence.

   Every situation is a different puzzle. By putting yourself in different situations and positions, you think, act & learn quickly and will surely improve with time and efforts.

In Business, you need to put yourself “in the business”, to learn & understand, then you will be able to make optimal decisions “on the business” (strategic decisions).

Engage fully in the learning. Build momentum in action to speed up learning.

Give time to sharpen the tool, so it can better perform.

Warning - Don’t get stuck with learning & big picture thinking. This is important too but executing is key. You need to get experience by doing

4. Rest

In Football, playing a game without the right mental and physical strength needed is harmful. I started writing this post with a fractured wrist 5 weeks ago.

I got injured after deciding to play the same day, a few hours after a 13 hour flight home.After 60 mins in the game, my mind wasn’t in it. I was physically pushing myself already. 10 mins later, I’m on the ground with a swollen arm after a failed challenge for the ball. I tore my ACL, 3 years ago in a similar way after I decided to play immediately after a 11-12 hour of work shift.

Lesson learned, I hope! I’m almost 30 now and until recently, Ive always wanted to maximize my day and act as if time was limited. This is probably still true, but rest is important and i need to schedule time everyday for rest and recovery

5. Showing up helps

Be consistent. A break from training puts you in a position where you need to catch up to fitness and learning.

The best way to learn, improve yourself and have fun in the process is to make steady progress. Be patient and aim for small improvements every time.

Playing the game of football well is not very easy and requires you to be familiar with various concepts, develop physical attributes needed, skills and mindsets. Balance lol.

Enjoy the process, put in the time and results will eventually come :)

6. Social skills

Finally another benefit I see from playing football is improved communication and leadership team. To be able to play to your strengths, you need a team who understands your playstyle, strengths and weaknesses. This would require many games playing with one another

When you are playing with a new set of people every week, you need to communicate and ask for what you want. (The ball )

Talk to your team. Get in the head of your opponent.

Have fun!