Hey I am 13 and I play travel soccer. I am going to a tournament next week and a scout from a team I really want to make is coming, I am so nervous that I feel sick. Does anyone know how to calm my nerves?

Don’t try to play for the scouts. Play the same game you always play.
If you worry about the scout too much, you’ll tie yourself up in knots with anxiety and you’ll play differently. Practice hard and gear up for the game.

I’m guessing you play your best soccer when you’re “in the zone”. That’s when all outside influences and distractions fade away and all there is in your active mind, is the game. Keep your focus on the game and you’ll do great.You can worry about what the scout thinks after.

My niece who is in the same position, about to win a softball scholarship to college, says that running on the school track helps her.

Take drugs? jk

look, if you think about it too much, you’ll simply play worse. What position do you play btw?

I have found that in any similar situation (eg preparing for a job interview), I think of the worst case scenario: will the scout chop off your legs? Will he shoot you? Will he swear at you? The worst case scenario is that he simply won’t pick you, which is not that bad, because you’ll be back doing what you’re doing now, and there will be more scouts to come. Think of that, ignore the scout, pretend he’s not there. Only good things can come out of his visit (and he might not make it anyway). Just play your game, and if it’s meant to happen, it will happen :)

As a former college soccer player- tuck your head down and do your best!

thanks guys! I play left forward, I just had the tournament and did as good as I can. I really hope I get in, but your right if I don’t I will just try harder next time.

Will you let us know how it goes?

LF? that’s what I used to play too! :)
(well I took the whole left wing actually, even though I’m right-footed)

Ask yourself this question: “Why do I play football?” If the answer is because I love it and because it is the best sport in the world then just concentrate on that. Play because you enjoy kicking a ball around for 90 mins. If you don’t get picked would you stop playing? No you wouldn’t. You would carry on playing because that is what you do. All the most successful people in the world do what they do because they love it. Wayne Rooney says that he is the happiest person in the world because he can play football.