Why You Play Better in Training than in Games and How to Fix It!

Want to Train Like Me?

Follow My Journey!

About Me
Name: Matt Sheldon
Age: 29
Height: 6' 0"
Weight: 170 lbs
Nationality: USA
Job: Professional Soccer Player
Current Team: Charleston Battery
Current League: USL Championship (USA 2nd Tier)
Last Team: FC Tulsa
Previous Teams: Tulsa Roughnecks, Waterside Karori FC, Saint Louis FC, Orange County Blues, SG Kinzenbach
Position: RB/LB/RM
College: UC Davis (D1)

[bashirmathebula]

Actually noticed this recently. Started playing age 9 (futsal), with above average talent and a physique stronger or better designed athletically than most of my peers. Football was ever so simple yet whenever I stepped outfield, it always seemed like I had kryptonite activated. My talent would suddenly become so poor even average looks great, however in futsal (indoor soccer) competitive and none competitive, I'd shine like I was born for it.

I still did want to take my talent outdoor and produce the same results but for the longest time I couldn't. Only now that I'm in my early twenties and have grown intellectually to understand that I had created PRESSURE for myself in my own head and I was trying to hard to not mess up that I actually did mess up. Fine, season started, new objective, I put in an extra 102℅ at training and I walk into a game with a new mindset (There is no pressure, I feel no pressure whatsoever.) Those words alone have been the major difference in nearly a decade of struggling in outdoor football. The idea that I FEEL NO PRESSURE has made me so much more confident to the point I hold the ball at my feet and wait a second or two just observe other players of the opposite team and what I realised is most players are just as nervous as I used to be, for a good 2seconds I can hold the ball still and usually nobody has the confidence to press me, and usually when someone does press, I'd use their nervousness which appears so evidently in their body language to perform a skill or even just body feint and beat them easily. It's so powerful how SELF CONFIDENCE And being CALM is the major gap between how bad and how outstanding you perform. This alone has shined a very bright light in my path. I hope you too (reader) can try it and perform at your best both at training and in your game. All the best

[picperfect]

Jokes on you i play shit everywhere 💀💀

[quincy]

I just wanted to say thank you for everything. About a month ago I had a tryout for a chance to go to England for 2 weeks at an academy. I got chosen to go for 12 weeks. My entire life has just changed. Becoming a pro is within my reach.
And you played a key role in it. Thank you so much.

[leonelbrito]

How do I translate my daily hatricks and 5 assists in my street soccer games to my actual games?

[marc_aussie]

Good reminder on the mindfulness, catching your own thoughts and redirecting. This has applications to business too, such as a job interview, closing a big deal, public speaking, meetings, etc. Role playing live with someone, and on camera helps with those too.

[AmoebaCulture]

I think pressure is half of it. The other half is lack of training that replicates with in-game scenarios.

[ebenmaiopue]

This video is something I've really needed. I only play recreational games. But I've experienced situations where I felt pressure to point all the skills that I grew up doing somehow vanish. But I appreciate this vid.

[shantiescovedo]

The advice of pushing the intensity in training is critical. In addition, force yourself to train something consciously during training so that you are used to doing that during games. As Matt said, there are no quick fixes, but you will play faster with that approach over time.

[romariolendor]

I trained with a professional football team down in Mexico and its so crazy how my teammates would play 3x better in matches, its crazy

[raviolik]

He posted exactly what I needed at exactly the right time!

[sindregs]

Best feeling. Coming Home from school seeing Become Elite has uploded a new vid, and in the middle of the video i get at notification from 7mlc.

[rakanalsankari]

It would be great if you have a podcast with someone and talk about playing instinctually vs. thinking about each play? I also find myself playing better with just my instinct, but it's more of glimpses here and there vs. when thinking ahead " asking your question: if I get the ball now what should I do?" where I see myself make the right decision more often but it comes with a lot of overthinking which causes mistakes sometimes. Hope you READ the comment. Thank for the content!

[PatrickGodwill]

i agree with your answer "pressure", i do more training with the ball and also physique than my team mates but they perform better than me in matches, so its not training the problem its my "mind".

[pogbatotypogbamatuidi]

Can you do a video on how you wrap/tape your ankles, and what type of shin guards you where to stay protected during games.

[AaaAaa-rzpx]

Hey really enjoying your videos!
Can you please do a vlog in the locking room just before game time? Just to see how your team looks

[oj]

Man I jus wanna say I love u (pause) you always dropping vids at the right time. Pre season and u dropping this u a G for this.

[nunufootballclub]

Great topic!! Your videos are always very helpful!!

[sethbennett]

you have already helped me so much, keep up the good work !!

[ljanelr]

Go Chas Battery! Im happy I found this channel . I watch these with my 9yo .

[aureliojohn]

I love your content more than life it's self, you inspire too many young footballers you are a champ