In the modern game, coaches need every member of the team to inspire others. Using Roma’s Lorenzo Pellegrini, we look at 10 attributes of soccer leadership...
Every player makes mistakes - but a leader will always possess the mental toughness to forget them and remain focused on making the right decisions
on the pitch.
A good leader is one who knows their team-mates inside out, including what makes them tick. They will have the ability to fire them up or rein them in as the situation requires.
It always helps a team when the on-pitch leaders have an understanding of what the coach requires from the team, particularly in those moments when it’s time for Plan B.
Leaders fire up the team but must never lose emotional control on the pitch. Leading by example is important, as is making clear-headed decisions under intense pressure.
Not every player can be the best on the pitch. But those who can produce their skills on a regular basis can lift the performances of others, and inspire team-mates to greater heights.
A leader can teach team-mates by sharing a knowledge of the game. It also helps to be able to spot what’s going wrong on the pitch and make others understand how to put it right.
A leader communicate well to team-mates. That doesn’t necessarily mean having the loudest voice on the pitch, but being able to inspire others with just a few words is a vital skill.
If younger or less experienced players get the feeling their team’s leaders would run through the pain barrier, they’re far more likely to dig deep to find the strength to do it themselves.
This is contagious. Self-confident players can inspire a sense of confidence in others. It’s a quality that will also help players to play at a high level of performance consistently.
Whether it’s encouraging team-mates to give that extra focus in training, or cajoling them to give 110 per cent on match day, leaders are often the hardest-working on the team.
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