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

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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)

[@bashirmathebula8470]

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

[@IzisiBoss]

thanks for writing this wish u the best

[@raviolik999]

Looooooooongest comment I’ve seen eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeevevvvvvvvvvvvvvvveveveeeeeeeeererererrrrrrrrrr

[@jonasloden2500]

How did u get rid of putting pressure on yourself?

[@mattias1272]

W

[@aservant1284]

Thanks

[@picperfect1761]

Jokes on you i play shit everywhere 💀💀

[@BecomeElite]

😂😂

[@bashirmathebula8470]

😂😂😂🤣 best comment so far.

[@markwilson5967]

Lmao!!!!!

[@leonelbrito7742]

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

[@dribblingdavid547]

Wow you must be pretty good, maybe try preparing your mind from the pressure before a game.

[@__vasiliy__]

Idk dude doesn’t sound too realistic lol

[@yassinkhlil5378]

Look man in the street every one play very well and have hatricks and lots of assists bec you play to with friends , with a small pitch and not all your friends can play well at least not like the players in your matches ... so playing in the street is not like playing in an actual match they are very far from each other .. but you can learn from the street alot to me playing in the street when I was 4 is the thing that made me love football.. keep playing in the street but don't expect that amount of goals to be translated to a game

[@dribblingdavid547]

@@daniellora1403 Hey I'll take note of that.

[@ReddyIsMe]

Improve long gaming : long passing, crosses, long shooting. Also, improve your explosiveness and try improving your dribbling when moving and running (street games are too static from that aspect). Street football does not really rely on those, which are requirements for 100m-games.

[@quincy9977]

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.

[@rameshyeshu5842]

Thanks for the advise Matt!!!! ❤

[@AmoebaCulture]

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

[@wokechoppa3821]

Facts, a year after but facts

[@PatrickGodwill]

i think the biggest problem is pressure, i do more training with the ball and also physique than my friends but they perform better than me in matches, so its not training the problem its my "mind".

[@nunufootballclub7500]

Great topic!! Always very helpful!!

[@nunufootballclub7500]

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

[@ebenmaiopue4253]

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.

[@raviolik999]

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

[@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.

[@sethbennett4928]

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

[@AaaAaa-rz4px]

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

[@zackwb6783]

Great video exactly what I needed👍

[@oj2701]

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.

[@sindregs8491]

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.

[@shantiescovedo4361]

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.

[@Kevingaray16]

Thank you so much

[@pogbatotypogbamatuidi6147]

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.

[@aureliojohn1033]

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

[@josiahasante]

Thanks for the advice Matt,I really needed this

[@mf69]

I was looking for the answer, thanks my friend

[@tjavon19]

Matt you’re almost at 500k subs let’s gooooooo

[@soundlysouth2962]

It gets extremely hot and humid here in the south, Matt (like here in Jacksonville, FL) ... and, it's like 7 months of it lol But, Ive never experienced bitterly cold winters, snow, etc., so a long hot summer might be more likeable !

[@ihavemasochism]

Hi Matt. Followed you since your Germany days. Live up in Greenville if you ever would like to see those hills your missing. Hope to meet you at a battery game sometime since I visit often and hope y'all start winning so you can stick around! Cheers 🥂

[@njr1200]

please do a vedio about your team gym sessions

[@ljanelr8685]

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

[@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

[@arlogrey5861]

Thanks for making this video. You are probably right. Its about pressure.

[@LA_ZONAST]

You are an inspiration to us Matt. If you visit Colombia one Day we would love to invite you ti a private session

[@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".

[@kwesijuniorr]

I Will be watching your home game against Miami at 11pm too, hoping for wins today ...Vamos🤝❤️

[@kwesijuniorr]

Please Say Hi to Enock Kwakwa and Dominic Oduro on my behalf, kindly Tell them ive been watching them keenly and its my prayer and hope to also get to that level... I'm Kwesi From Ghana 🇬🇭❤️

[@rakanalsankari2819]

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!

[@iliasrueter1016]

He does have a podcast called "Against all odds" but he hasn't uploaded in a while. He talks with other pros about their careers and does Q+A's. he probably has talked about it at some point.

[@rakanalsankari2819]

@@iliasrueter1016 I worked delivering food as a side hustle and probably listened to all of them while driving. Hopefully you make one specifically about it.

[@iliasrueter1016]

@@rakanalsankari2819 He should, it's a great topic.

[@markwilson5967]

Great question!!!!! Hope he answers

[@sambomjan]

Hey matt I wanted to know how much time you spend on your videos?

[@M_SH-10]

Quick question Matt. What do you think about Herbalife? Is it good and healthy for professional footballers? Thank you!

[@gksldgsfdlskgmds4550]

do you have any idea what has happened to Sheldon Tweedie, Matt? Hasn't posted on KZbin + Insta, I know he has been injured though.

[@gabe1277]

Big game vs RAFE Club tmw, wish me best and I will keep this in mind

[@charlesouma798]

I'm playing from kenya 🇰🇪 good job 👏👍

[@krimdelko]

Some players are great in training and fail in matches because they loose 50/50z. They’re afraid of contact.. How can you fix that in training?

[@YawNova]

Hello Mat I'm Lawrence from Ghana a young soccer player, playing for a second division side. Recently I've been out of form. I was able to train with other team for over a month or two after coming back to my old club, I've been struggling to keep me form. I perform well in trainings but bad when playing a match i dont know was wrong. Any advice or tips for me recover to my full form? Thank You Merry Christmas 🎄😊

[@jerryp8041]

Can you talk about burnout in sports ?

[@dansugardude2655]

I know you’re a footballer first but it’d be nice if you would post more than once every 9 days during the season 😱

[@user-ss6ou8ks1v]

I need ur advice i am playing football and i want to be better but unfortunately i don’t have pitch to train on so i train at home i know it isn’t enough to train all drills but better than nothing so what i could do at home to be improved until i found place

[@wrld2bk493]

tips for college soccer players ?

[@hemmm936]

Rob holding to son🤣 perfect example of big game more pressure

[@saxenaakash19]

Need a video on that skin care routine 🥵

[@brendanfry4904]

Babe wake up matt just uploaded a new video

[@Sebas_Editz]

Hey I wondered if you were open to transferring to Sacramento Republic FC. We are having an okay season and I think you could help.

[@Sebas_Editz]

Sacramento is in California in the USL

[@sebik4542]

I have it completly otherwise, im class in matches but in trainings im not so good.

[@hopewell9667]

Matt seems like a pretty cool guy in real life

[@Mbappe878]

This has been happening a lot to me lately. I dominate the entire team during training, but I ghost in games. Thanks for the vid :)

[@wallgang]

good luck in your games bro

[@kentuckynotsofriedchicken2754]

I play so much better in futsal than i do in regular games it’s wild. that’s why I love to prefer playing on concrete than grass

[@CoachXaviPerformance]

You need to make your training as realistic as possible to find yourself in position that you know will happen in the game. This is the challenge but it is impossible to play exactly as in the game because you need to add the stress level⚽️🔥💪

[@fosterbaratta1656]

I see you everywhere bro, i will try to implement what you said so thanks

[@CoachXaviPerformance]

@@fosterbaratta1656 👊👊👊

[@Zkram.]

for me its the opposite, I play so much better in game then in training... everyone thinks I am bad cuz of every training but the second I go into a match I play good

[@idk8413]

Idk

[@JM-zg2lg]

You're brave, I wouldn't let my missus near my hair with clippers.

[@TheGoother99]

Matt do you deal with any fame issues?

[@urbanexpansion1357]

At fault for the three goals tonight, but no doubt you're a good player. Time to pick yourself back up 😊

[@lucasgk4183]

I am the complete opposite, I find that I need to have a 100% focus in training just do do what I produce in game.

[@stefanvelic5972]

I dont know why but i play way better in like hard and important games then when we play easy games. When i play easy games i use to make more mistakes.

[@Marco-zc1vb]

What is a affective training?how to improve the training quality?😊

[@fosterbaratta1656]

Make sure when you doing the drills go at full intensity, and use match realistic drills. For example, if your doing a dribbling drill go at a pace that is challenging for you so that you make a few mistakes but not too many. You should not be going through the motions

[@Marco-zc1vb]

@@fosterbaratta1656 Thanks bro

[@HP.Badminton]

it's actually opposite for me. In training I'm like a phil foden but in matches im a xavi

[@Justincrock10]

I’m the exact opposite. I do terrible in training, but pretty good in the games.

[@Istian_Ikes]

I saw a ninja cat in the coffe.

[@devonhudson5461]

For me as a goalkeeper and many other goalkeepers think this. Went just slightly more reactive in a game and will save more than in training. It could be down to adrenaline but I’ve always felt I will make saves when in winning situations

[@ak47officialz94]

Am so early it feels wrong 💀

[@estherfrancois8952]

I feel attacked because this is literally my problem

[@liifinhodaasho9201]

in training i score freeckiks and beautifull goals in match i didnt even dribble

[@Gabe.jimenez11]

Idk if feel like I play more better in games than training

[@etr0925]

For me it is the other way

[@clipcastcentral69]

I actually also think players play better in training than in games because players in games just take things more seriously.

[@survivaloftheidiots6239]

this doesn't apply to me lol

[@malomapusua3048]

I’m the opposite in a beast in games but average at training

[@rowanbacon3885]

Now what do I do if I play better in games but worse in practice?

[@prateekosingal38]

lmao then whats the issue

[@ungsw6439]

@@prateekosingal38trials

[@lukaassaf3894]

I actually think I play better in games than in training (I play cdm btw)

[@oriolgallegos3984]

When you talk I can’t help it but I get distracted by your beard it looks fake but I know it’s not lol

[@joseflick2664]

Nah definitely a cat not a grab in the coffee art

[@jazzinho_futebol]

Also if you wanna be a match God. Try find players that are better than you and play/train with them...iron sharpens iron

[@ambatukamomaygot1]

What if I’m the the exact opposite? I’m much better in game than in training drills 😅

[@raviolik999]

Drills or small 5v5s???

[@ambatukamomaygot1]

@@raviolik999 drills bro. I’m alright at 5v5s

[@raviolik999]

@@ambatukamomaygot1 ok then 😅

[@albaraa2072]

What happened to sheldon Tweedie?

[@hemmm936]

Quit football

[@albaraa2072]

@@hemmm936 How do you know?

[@hemmm936]

@@albaraa2072 its obvious

[@jazzinho_futebol]

"I hate black cleats"💔💔

[@travis9226]

I play better in games than training. Games is more intense.

[@darrenwatkins5466]

Probably because you feel more comf

[@danielakough178]

I play better in matches than training😅😅

[@izzsyj7207]

I'm the opposite, I play better in games and do not do as good in training

[@yazanhanif8168]

“No gang signs” that was a little sus saying that especially to who you were saying it to🙏

[@sandyshandy4870]

Am i the only one who plays much better in games😂

[@dribblingdavid547]

I guess your'e talented then.Great job.

[@sandyshandy4870]

@@dribblingdavid547 thanks😂

[@steve10thestriker98]

I'm the opposite

[@axolotlz709]

I play better in matches

[@chickenfeeder5469]

However im the opposite

[@certinho76]

Funny when you get home from your job, that is mostly physical exertion, and...your wife immediately demands that 'we are cleaning!' Nope. Never experienced that one before. Oh, yeah. And if you don't do it when they say jump or you say not now, wait till later when I'm not tired from work, then you are the problem and lazy! 🤔🤔🤔

[@fosterbaratta1656]

Very hypocritical

[@ronaldsilva6826]

Second

[@geersag]

3rd

[@erikmorales17]

First

[@Giuseppe1927]

I actually do better in games, weird

[@vincenguyen6137]

How long were you in hot tub before training? Thanks

[@unkmeill3965]

foot ball not soccer , foot and ball 😡

[@xtube9157]

cry

[@socceralvin10]

Tad bit offensive/racist. 1. Asking for English, not appreciating his language. 2. Assuming gang signs from black teammate. Didn’t want to finish the video after that.