Setting up the changing room
I’ve found this to be a deeply spiritual ritual. It sounds almost odd to say but it gets me in the mood and focused on the game ahead. There’s nothing like walking into a changing room and seeing those numbers on the wall and your kit ready. I’d like to think it adds a professional touch to the preparation and helps mentally prepare the players and get them in the zone. It certainly gets me in the mood!
I always ask the players and sometimes the other coaches to stay out when I’m doing this as I want to be left alone to concentrate and it’s amazing how much stuff goes through your mind about each player as you put their shirt up on the wall and how it prepares you for the game ahead.
This is of course standard for professional teams, but if you run a Sunday league side or similar, or play in one, then you should start doing this because it really does have an impact. There’s nothing worse than seeing a dozen players all diving into kit bags at the same time and scrambling over stuff in an unorganised and messy fashion. Get to know your players and their sizes and get it all laid out long before the match is due to start!
I admit, that when we’re at home, I leave the door slightly open as the away side walk by and I always can tell if the other team are doing the same by their reaction. It can be really intimidating and indirectly lets them know that they’re going to be in for a game. It’s got great shock value at that level.
Mind games are all part and parcel of football and playing pyschological warfare with your opponents and with your own can sometimes give you that extra belief and edge that you need. It’s the little details that count, but sometimes you have to immerse yourself in that detail and never feel that your boots are too big to do it, especially for the benefit of your own team.
