{"id":525,"date":"2024-05-01T15:23:28","date_gmt":"2024-05-01T14:23:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jusmedia.co.uk\/xgenius\/?p=525"},"modified":"2024-05-28T17:39:13","modified_gmt":"2024-05-28T16:39:13","slug":"the-mental-mastery-of-an-elite-goalkeeper-inside-the-mind-of-cambridge-uniteds-james-holden","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jusmedia.co.uk\/xgenius\/2024\/05\/01\/the-mental-mastery-of-an-elite-goalkeeper-inside-the-mind-of-cambridge-uniteds-james-holden\/","title":{"rendered":"The modern mentality of a pro goalkeeper: James Holden"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In the modern era of professional football, absolute mental fortitude is a must for any goalkeeper. Physical prowess can only get you so far. You could be seven feet tall and have the reflexes of a cat, one lapse in concentration and you won’t make the grade. We spoke to rising goalkeeping star James Holden, playing for Cambridge United in League One, to unveil his psychological secrets to success between the goalposts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At just 22, Holden has also played for Reading FC and has established himself in the National League on various loan spells with Maidenhead United, Dulwich Hamlet and Welling United. Towering at 6ft5, and displaying impressive agility for his height, Holden is a physical presence to be reckoned with. Despite this, he insists on the importance of the mental side of goalkeeping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pre-match nerves:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Holden says, \u201cOn the day of the game I always get butterflies thinking about the match. By the time I\u2019m in the tunnel, I get the shakes a little bit, and my mind and heart are racing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLots of keepers I know get really nervous, so some use nicotine as a way of relaxing before the game. I would say that\u2019s an easy, cheap way out because you\u2019re not learning how to deal with the pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI use breathing techniques, they calm me and help me get through the nerves and stay focussed on the game. Another technique I find really helpful is positive talk, where I tell myself things like \u2018I\u2019m going to be on top of my game\u2019, to almost try and manifest a strong performance.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with mistakes:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Howlers\u2019 have defined many goalkeeper\u2019s careers. Take Rob Green for example, despite playing over 600 games at the highest level, and being capped 12 times for England, he will always be remembered for his one slip-up against the USA in the World Cup. Loris Karius\u2019 nightmare performance in the Champions League final also comes to mind, which sent a promising career on a downward spiral. Speaking on mistakes, Holden says:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI got sent off last year. I made one mistake and then my mind was racing for the rest of the game, and adrenaline was pumping through me. I started mouthing off to the ref, and I couldn\u2019t control my emotions, made a rash challenge and got red-carded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs a goalkeeper everyone makes mistakes, and you’re used to making high-risk errors. When it happens you just have to put it behind you, try not to care, and carry in as if nothing has happened.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keeping focus:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a goalkeeper, you can have nothing to do for 89 minutes and then suddenly be called upon to make a vital save. But how do you remain focused? Holden tells us, \u201cWhen there\u2019s not much going on in a game, I\u2019ll just sing a song over and over in my head to try and stay focussed, and stop myself daydreaming.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pre-match preparation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every player prepares for a game differently. It can be imperative to success. You\u2019ve heard the story of Jamie Vardy\u2019s three pre-game Red Bulls<\/a>. But how does a goalkeeper best prepare? Holden says:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI have a big meal at home and then listen to some music in my car as I drive down. I try to think positively about making saves and having a good game and get any negative thoughts out of my head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBeforehand I\u2019ll be loud and sociable in the changing rooms, to get cohesion with the team and feel more confident. I make sure to always put my right shin pad and right boot on first, that\u2019s my only pre-match ritual.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Penalties: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The mind games of penalties <\/a>are no secret in the football world. From Emiliano Martinez\u2019s World Cup taunting heroics to Andrew Redmayne\u2019s eccentric goal line dancing<\/a> for Australia, goalkeepers have tried it all. With the odds so heavily stacked in the penalty takers’ favour, nearly every professional club has begun analysing opposition penalty takers. Holden says:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBefore every match, we get the analysis guy who comes in and sends us a big PowerPoint, telling us every player who usually takes penalties. This is normally two or three players. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThen you get a graph which shows you every single penalty they\u2019ve scored this season, and which ones they haven\u2019t. Usually, there is a big trend between the side they have gone to and their success rate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s up to you whether you want to trust the graphs because the strikers know we are looking at them as well. So they might change their mind because they know we\u2019re looking at it, or they have been going the same way too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSo we do our research. It’s just how much you want to trust it. I normally go with the research, as it’s the safe option. If you don’t go with the research, and they score, then the coach will ask you why you didn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Holden, 22, is an upcoming goalkeeper for Cambridge United.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He has played for Reading FC, Bury FC and has starred<\/p>\n\n\n\n

on loan spells to Maidenhead United,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dulwich Hamlet and Welling United<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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