Soccer is a mental, physical, and emotional game. Therefore, San Diego Spirit Soccer Club’s focus is on the WHOLE player. Players are encouraged to take ownership of and assume responsibility for each aspect of their development:

The mind: Attitude and mental preparation. We believe in teaching players how to make smart decisions on and off the field. Players will develop the courage to experiment, take calculated risks, and make mistakes so they can expand their skills and grow. They will be taught to handle victory and defeat with dignity and they will discover the rewards of playing the game unselfishly.

The success of great athletes is partly determined by the habits of thought they develop. Therefore, the following mental strategies will be integrated into a player’s development:

• Goal setting and visualization—what do you want to accomplish and how do you see yourself playing the game?
• Learned optimism—more than just positive thinking, this strategy teaches players a way of interpreting and explaining bad and good events that is characteristically optimistic.
• Stepping through fear—skill development requires experimentation, and making mistakes is an inherent part of the experimentation process. To be able to work through this experimentation and take risks, players will need to come out of their comfort zones and step through their fear of the unknown and their fear of failure.

The body: Physical conditioning and skill development off the field become a way of life for great athletes, enhancing their performance on the field. In the last 15 minutes of a rigorously fought game on the field, the team with the best conditioning has an advantage. A well-conditioned player can better concentrate on using their skills and winning moves. This is why we emphasize conditioning, speed and agility, and stretching during a player’s development.

Great athletes also understand the power of nutrition and eating well. These players don’t have a reactive, disconnected (anything goes) relationship with their bodies; they are mindful (purposeful and intentional) about what they eat. Our program incorporates education about what increases strength and stamina and what drains energy from a nutritional standpoint. Players are encouraged to think about nutrition as a part of their training regiment and game preparation.

The spirit: Esprit de corps makes the game of soccer fun and fulfilling for every player. Enjoying relationships with other players and coaches and getting the right support from family members and teammates at the right time are crucial. Competitive soccer demands a lot from players in terms of time, energy, discipline, and sacrifice. If players are encouraged to get in touch with what makes the game rewarding for them, they will own their own happiness and satisfaction on the field.