Mauro van de Looij
Gives football training, presentations, workshops; coaches the coach; thinks about development- & achievement culture; has got a timeless interest in psychology and football BSc Child Psychologist, MSc Sports and Achievement Psychologist https://www.bauer-vandelooij.nl/
@MaurovandeLooij
Article
Our youth has many dreams and aspirations. Lots of young boys dream of scoring the winning goal in the Champions League final or win the World Cup with their country. Their dream: being a professional football player. In football only a few children become a professional football player. So talent...
Article
Currently there’s (still) a debate going on in youth football circles about the role of winning in youth sports development programs. More specifically is one a good youth coach if one wins youth matches? In answering this question and looking at this debate, probably the most important thing to start...
Article
I have elaborated on the discussion about the lack of the winning mentality in football minded Holland here: http://believeperform.com/performance/creating-winning-mentality/. In this article I will apply my thoughts into practice: how do we create the winning mentality? I believe every young football player wants to win; football is a game and...
Article
Lately a metaphoric earthquake struck in football minded Holland. The Dutch FA & several ‘experts’ claim ‘Dutch football has to improve’. Despite a 3rd place during the last World Cup in Brazil for the Orange Lions. We can compliment the Dutch FA & co for having such a strong developed...
Article
The debate between nature and nurture in sports still exists. In my view the nurture part is more important than the nature part, because I believe a lot can be developed and learned. On top of that, why focus on an aspect you can do nothing about (nature) when you’re...
Article
The nature versus nurture debate is still an ongoing debate concerning athletic expertise. As I have written before I believe athletes are made rather than born. My view thus leans more towards nurture than nature and from what I’ve been reading lately scientists are holding such a view more and more...
Article
Everybody working in the field of sports knows that one critical factor to develop and perform is to get in the zone. The zone is that state in which one feels optimal to perform. He/she feels confident, free in mind, looking forward to the challenge, in short everything that’s needed...
Article
We know it’s possible to become a top athlete. Top athletes are made rather than born. Working hard is an essential component in becoming a top athlete, and working hard has lots of advantages in the short-term (value, self-confidence, motivation amongst others). However working hard is sometimes not that fun...
Article
Top athletes are made rather than born. Through hard work, practicing and learning they have become the quality players we know now. Working hard might even define the limit of your capabilities, the thin line between top and world class. There is no arguing Paul can ice skate better than John,...
Article
Have you ever seen the television series Made (MTV)? On this show one person wants to change his or her life and often wants to be ‘made’ into the person of his or her dreams. Remember the girls wanting to be made popstars and the guys sport jocks? Whether you...
