💭 Why Confidence Can Disappear Overnight in Young Footballers

One of the most common things I hear from parents and coaches is:
“He was full of confidence last week… and now it’s gone.”

The truth is, confidence in young footballers is often fragile, not because they’re weak — but because it’s usually built on the wrong foundations.

For many young players, confidence becomes tied to:
• Goals scored
• Praise from coaches
• Selection decisions
• Match results
• External approval

When those things change — confidence goes with them.

Young players are still learning who they are, how to process feedback, and how to cope with mistakes. Without the skills to regulate emotion and reflect constructively, one poor game, one comment, or one setback can feel like a judgment on who they are, not just how they played.

Real confidence isn’t about feeling good all the time.
It’s about feeling secure enough to keep going when things don’t go well.

That’s why the Inner Game matters.
When we help young players build confidence around controllables — effort, attitude, bravery, focus, and response to mistakes — confidence becomes far more stable.

They learn:
🧠 Mistakes are feedback, not failure
⚽ Performance isn’t identity
🔥 Confidence can be rebuilt through action

If we want confidence that lasts, we must stop asking young footballers to be confident — and start teaching them how to build it.

Because confidence that depends on outcomes will always be temporary.
Confidence built on self-awareness and ownership is far more resilient.