Jamshedpur, November 26: A specialised sports psychology session was held at the Tata Football Academy for Jamshedpur FC’s U18 players as they gear up for their Elite Youth League fixtures. Titled Mind x Body = Link to Elite Performance, the workshop focused on reinforcing the connection between a player’s thoughts and their actions on the pitch.
The session highlighted a simple but powerful truth: every movement in football starts in the mind. To help the youngsters understand this better, a series of practical and football-specific activities were designed to test their focus, confidence, and decision-making under pressure.
Players were put through drills where they had to finish without overthinking, perform skills while handling loud distractions, juggle the ball while answering quick-fire questions, and react to cues that demanded sharp anticipation. They also explored how intention and mindset can influence the quality of their dribbling. Each challenge made it clear how changes in attention and emotional state can affect timing, accuracy, technique, and composure.
As the squad prepares for a tougher competitive level, this training is expected to play an important role in shaping their readiness for high-pressure situations. By recognising how thoughts influence performance, the players are learning to regulate themselves better, make quicker decisions, and stay confident no matter what’s happening around them.
The workshop has also helped the group embrace mental training as a core part of their development, ensuring that psychological strength grows alongside football skills as they strive for success in the Elite Youth League.
