The importance of the sports psychologist in professional football

Behind the correct execution of actions as simple as passing or scoring, there is a quite important psychological component.

The emotional aspect, although it may not seem like it, greatly influences the state of a specific player or team. That's where the figure of the sports psychologist, which is booming within the world of football and all disciplines at a professional level.

More than a coach, a dressing room often needs a person to motivate them when it comes to taking the field because it is one of the keys when facing new challenges.

Some like José Mourinho or Diego Simeone have become famous for the ease with which their message penetrates within the group. There are his successes on the benches. In fact, the Portuguese has triumphed, against the norm, without having had any previous curriculum as a footballer.

The Argentine's achievements also deserve a separate chapter, because in a short time the mentality of a team like Atlético de Madrid changed, which until his arrival was known as the 'pupa'.

He took the rojiblancos back to the path of titles and this same season he can also conquer the Europa League. The colchoneros are running as the favorites ahead of Borussia Dortmund or Arsenal and they also have options for LaLiga.

Work areas of a sports psychologist

We speak, however, of isolated cases because not all have the same capacity to embody the role of a sports psychologist. It is a parallel position increasingly established within many part-time or full-time professional clubs to help turn a losing trend..

There is the case of Levante, which in December threw the services of a professional from the lower categories for its first team. And his work begins to have positive effects because the set 'granota' again shows symptoms of having qualities to save the category.

Beyond motivation, a psychologist must influence many other variables that influence psychologically when practicing any sport. Concentration, attention and self-confidence fall into this section. How are these aspects worked? As it is said colloquially, each teacher has his booklet.

However, there are three essential tools when dealing with these variables: self-knowledge, relaxation and visualization. Its application comes in once a correct evaluation has been made to know what is disturbing the logical performance of a team or an athlete.

The reasons can be disparate and not always purely sporting. No matter how mechanized the technique may be, athletes are exposed to external factors that condition them.

Not long ago it was learned that Ángel di María, formerly of Real Madrid, had to hire the services of a sports psychologist to help him fight the 'memes'. Even the virtual jokes, which have gone viral through social networks, affect the players and the Argentine has not hesitated to acknowledge it..