Fear

[moby]

do any of the experienced players get this?

mainly to tito, borg, adi and other players at clubs.

like your to worried your going to lose the ball so you just pass it. i'm kinda good at setting uplike though balls but when the opponet comes at me i kinda panic and sometimes lost the ball. but when i have space and time i do good balls out wide.

is that common for defenders.

[cigar omar]

Yeah I used to be like this but I learned not to care what anyone thinks or has to say and do my own thing. I hate people who yell out pass it or clear it, one its not that easy in some situations also its not the best thing to do in all situations. Personally I hardly play defense any more but when I used to everyone criticized me for trying to dribble my way out of trouble in the defensive third. I like to take the player that hustling me on than when I create some space pass it, run it up or clear it. Some times I loose the ball and probably have to foul the player, get into a stick situation or concede.  The problem is learning what to do when to do it. When you get over that you will be more confident and you will see your game improving.

[zizou871]

Don't panic, just know what you're going to do with the ball before you do it.  Be aware of what's around you.  It's not a good idea to take people on as a defender.  Unless you're an outside back and pushed up in the attack or something.  Bit too risky if it's a close game

[manutd.]

I was a bit nervous since it's only my second year playing, but in my first year, I was named captain, and we won the league, so that built my confidence tons. Now, in my second year, I've been named captain yet again, so my confidence is there. I'm also on the All-Star team, and many of the players were on the team last year, and I'm new to this, so I was nervous. I made some friends and talked to them and figured out their style of play so I'm no longer that nervous.

It just takes time. And if you're scared to do tricks, then talk to your coach and see how he feels about it. Just don't overdo it.

[el mafioso]

everytime you get a chance, take a look around and register everything around you. Don't look at the ball, you know where it is.
Know where your players are, and know what you're gonna do with the ball when you get it. 
Don't panic, everytime you're about to shit your pants cos you feel like you don't have no options, just turn around and pass it to a defender/keeper.. and try again.

[cigar omar]

Don't panic, just know what you're going to do with the ball before you do it.  Be aware of what's around you.  It's not a good idea to take people on as a defender.  Unless you're an outside back and pushed up in the attack or something.  Bit too risky if it's a close game

If you mean natural and instinctively knowing what your going to do next?

'Because I've noticed when I'm thinking about what I'm going to do with the ball while its rolling towards me it leads to some kind of major screw up.  Its like every time you have the ball and your headed towards the goal against the keeper only and you 'think' about how your going to finish you almost always miss or lose the ball. I call it finishing before you finish. It happens to everyone.  :dontknow:

Looking up and straight away knowing >>> thinking.

[AznMagic]

do any of the experienced players get this?

mainly to tito, borg, adi and other players at clubs.

like your to worried your going to lose the ball so you just pass it. i'm kinda good at setting uplike though balls but when the opponet comes at me i kinda panic and sometimes lost the ball. but when i have space and time i do good balls out wide.

is that common for defenders.

that's cuz ur getting distracted and ur not focused.

[el mafioso]

listen to Owen, just focus and suddenly all the problems in the world will be gone  :thumbsup:

[AznMagic]

Don't panic, just know what you're going to do with the ball before you do it.  Be aware of what's around you.  It's not a good idea to take people on as a defender.  Unless you're an outside back and pushed up in the attack or something.  Bit too risky if it's a close game

If you mean natural and instinctively knowing what your going to do next?

'Because I've noticed when I'm thinking about what I'm going to do with the ball while its rolling towards me it leads to some kind of major screw up.  Its like every time you have the ball and your headed towards the goal against the keeper only and you 'think' about how your going to finish you almost always miss or lose the ball. I call it finishing before you finish. It happens to everyone.  :dontknow:

Looking up and straight away knowing >>> thinking.

it's not natural or instinctive... but u can't be too conscious of what ur doing.  thinking too much about things are distractions.  u can't focus on what ur doing.  and thinking about NOT missing or doing something wrong, gets ur mind thinking about the negative outcomes.  since ur subconscious doesn't register negatives.... "don't do this again" will become "do this again" and u'll end up making more mistakes.

remember there are four stages in learning a skill.

unconscious incompetence --> conscious incompetence --> conscious competence --> unconscious competence

[TheGodEmperor]

It happens to me when I care too much and/or when my coach is cracking down on me. If I'm enjoying myself, then it's not an issue . So the key is, enjoy yourself  :thumbsup:

[Sule]

I get the same feeling at times in games as a left back. I always feel ill mess up and they'll go on the counter and get an easy one. The thing is in practice im completely relaxed.

Relax - Try to know what situation your in when you get the ball. Knowing where your players are, their players are, the ball, etc. Try to already plan out what you'll do with it before you get it. This makes it alot easier. Dont force anything. This always leads to failure in football. Play simple if your original plan didnt work and keep the ball.

Mess Up - Dont be scared to vision glory. Here and there if you see a relatively good chance to do something nice/great/spectacular, take it because sometimes thats all it takes to win a game. At the same time it could go backwards and make you lose but hey! look how many times top clubs/teams have lost.

Pro's - Never feel bad about what you did. Look at how many times professionals fail or mess up and give the other team a chance. You have to look at it like, "If they can do it, why cant I?"

That's about all that I can come up with right now.. might get some more later

[Buckwheat156]

fear nothing. being nervous is good but dont be scared. easy things to remember are...
1. know what you want to do before you get the ball
2. first touch is vital
3. rarely should you dribble (if you wach the professionals most of the time they take 2 or more touches)
4. be confident but be smart
5. if you win a ball back you lost all is forgiven

good luck