The players of FC Den Bosch do not have to lose heart yet, according to sports psychologist Joost Pluijms. The club lost on Friday evening with a painful 13-0 against PEC Zwolle. But that is no reason to panic: losing can be positive for teamwork. “It probably can’t get any worse.”
“The biggest humiliation of my career”, that’s how the Bossche player Danny Verbeek described Friday night’s horror match. A feeling that many athletes have after a loss, sports psychologist Joost knows. “I always speak of a 24-hour rule. Immediately after a match, some players are angry and others are very resigned, which differs per character. It is important how a team deals with the loss the day after.”
“Don’t dwell too long in disappointment.”
Like any setback in life, a lost game can be hard. “There is a difference between pain and suffering. After a defeat, you can hold on to the feeling of pain for a few days, but if you linger in suffering, it can be disastrous for a team performance.”
However, a major defeat can also benefit a team. “It can have a connecting effect. It probably can’t get any worse. If players learn to put things into perspective together and reflect on their performance after one or two days, they can look for points for improvement based on team values. Then they should certainly not forget to look at the positive: what is going well this season?”
“Interrelationships influence performance.”
Relationships between players and a staff can be of influence according to Joost. The board of FC Den Bosch previously announced that it would not renew the contract of trainer Jack de Gier after this season. “I can’t say whether this currently affects the players, but that mutual relationships between players and staff are important for performance is clear. Clear goals and roles per player and a clear strategy also help.”
The sports psychologist believes that mental guidance in football is just as normal as other forms of training. “Football clubs are increasingly offering mental support for players, but that often only happens when things are not going well. The fire is then extinguished afterwards, it is better if you develop mentally when things are going well, then there is more room Players train physically and tactically every week, let that happen mentally as well.”
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