Pickpockets and poets—creating elite mindsets in soccer

A recent study from NTNU's Department of Psychology reveals that elite soccer players experience less competitive anxiety compared to amateur players, despite facing high levels of pressure. The research surveyed 150 Norwegian players aged 16 to 40, focusing on their "metacognitive beliefs" – thoughts about their own mental processes and their impact on performance anxiety.

Competitive anxiety, which includes physical tension, worry, and lack of concentration, negatively affects soccer performance and increases injury risk. While sports psychologists aim to manage players' negative expectations, there is limited examination of metacognitive perspectives, such as worrying about thought processes and developing negative coping strategies.

Clinical psychologist Magnus Ueland Nygaard, co-author of the study, noted that Nyland's calm demeanor during post-game interviews despite a critical mistake suggests psychological resilience and support from the team. Nyland's manager, Ståle Solbakken, was furious, and media called for his replacement. The study measured three areas: competitive anxiety, metacognitive beliefs, and age, gender, and experience.

Elite players reported significantly less anxiety than amateurs, with older players showing lower anxiety than younger ones. Women experienced higher anxiety levels than men, making up only 23% of the surveyed players. Some players view worry as helpful, while others find it uncontrollable. Elite players often visualize game scenarios, but excessive reliance on visualization can become detrimental worry or rumination, increasing anxiety and reducing performance.

The researchers differentiate between positive and negative metacognitive beliefs, emphasizing that positive beliefs about worry can be detrimental at the amateur level.