ARTICLE 7 – Mental Strength in Football – Trainable Like Technique

Why Mental Stability Determines an Entire Match

Mental strength in football is not decided in isolated moments. It is decided continuously — from the first to the last minute. Those who remain mentally stable can access technique, perception, and decision-making even under pressure.

“It’s not the will to win that matters — it’s the will to prepare.” — Paul “Bear” Bryant

Note: from the YouNr1 e-book

Toni Kroos

Kroos stands for mental stability over many years. Regardless of tempo, opponent pressure, or match situation, he remains capable of action, focused, and precise. Mental strength improves performance because it preserves inner stability. It determines whether a player stays calm, clear, and effective under pressure.

Continuation follows in Article 8.

PART I – Reality in Numbers

Mental strength is not decided at specific points. It is decided continuously — across an entire match. A look at basic figures:

Share of unconscious decisions in the game: > 90%
Reaction time under pressure: 200–350 milliseconds
Energy consumption of the brain: ≈ 20%
Frequency of mental interference impulses in the game: high
Time needed for mental re-stabilization after mistakes: crucial

These figures show: Mental strength is not a feeling. It is a trainable ability for inner stability.

What Mental Strength Really Means

Mental strength is not:

being permanently motivated
playing without emotions
always appearing self-confident

Mental strength means:

remaining capable of action despite pressure
stabilizing quickly after mistakes
maintaining focus over time

It shows itself:

not in training
but in the match

Why Mental Strength Saves Energy

Restlessness costs energy. Doubt costs energy. Inner resistance costs energy. Mental strength:

reduces unnecessary energy loss
stabilizes neural activity
preserves decision quality

Those who are mentally stable have more energy for the game itself.

PART II – Structure and Context

Mental Strength as a System

Mental strength does not arise in isolation. It is the result of several trainable levels:

breathing → state regulation
thoughts → energy distribution
focus → stability of perception
routines → action reliability

If one level is missing, the system becomes unstable.

Mental Strength Under Pressure

In the match, the following act on you:

opponent pressure
lack of time
expectation
mistakes

Under pressure, players react either:

impulsively
inhibited
or stably

Mental strength shows itself in:

how quickly focus returns
how calm decisions remain
how precisely movements are executed

Mental Strength Is Trainable

Mental strength follows the same principles as technique:

repetition
structure
awareness

Trainable are:

attention
internal reaction to mistakes
shifts of focus
energy maintenance

Mental strength does not arise through willpower, but through systematics.

Mental Routines in the Match

Routines stabilize:

the inner state
decision quality
action reliability

Short mental routines:

after mistakes
before set pieces
in pressure phases

prevent:

escalation of inner restlessness
energy loss
loss of concentration

Why Mental Strength Is Age-Independent

Mental abilities:

do not decline with age
are not tied to physical peaks

They improve through:

experience
structure
conscious control

That is why:

young players can become stable faster
experienced players can remain capable for longer

Practical Relevance for YouNr1

For training, this knowledge means:

mental strength is not an add-on
it is part of the performance foundation
it can be trained deliberately

At YouNr1, mental strength is integrated into:

1-vs-1 situations
shooting techniques under pressure
visualization
breathing and focus work

Mental strength does not replace technical training. It determines whether technique remains available in the match.

Outlook

If mental strength is trainable like technique, the next logical question is: How can a player develop over years — independent of age? This question leads directly to the next article.

17 February 2026