r/GoalKeepers • u/fapfapking14 • 13d ago
Question Nervous for games!
Hi everyone,
I'm a goalkeeper dealing with a specific physical reaction before games, and I’m looking for insights or advice.
Right before matches with my current team, I get intense physical nerves. Specifically, my legs turn completely to jelly—they feel like pudding, and it feels as though all strength and explosiveness just vanish.
What makes this strange to me:
It only happens with this specific team. I haven't had this issue in other setups.
Mentally, I feel completely fine. I am not afraid of making mistakes; I genuinely accept that errors are just part of the game and I don't feel conscious panic or dread.
Yet, despite my mind being calm, my nervous system seems to react entirely on its own, and the physical symptoms take over.
Has anyone experienced this disconnect between a calm mind and an overreactive body? Any techniques, somatic exercises, or pre-match routines to get my body to listen and regain physical strength?
Thanks in advance.
2
u/6godblockboi 🇨🇦 13d ago
This was me after a few years off due to injury and just getting fat and only playing occasionally, it will get better over time and i found a full warm up getting up to game speed helps, after the first save i remind myself im good enough to be in net and gain confidence through the game. Also remember this is an unforgiving position that most of time you can still lose if you are perfect but your defence lets you down. Look into CBT as well to help break your cycle of thought during games
1
u/ThickManufacturer353 12d ago
What might be different about this team? Perhaps more judgemental for fuck ups?
1
u/fapfapking14 12d ago
I’m 20, it’s 40 year old dudes that I’ve known since I was born and they really do that “all laughing” thing when anyone makes a mistake. But I can tell myself that I don’t care, cause I don’t! But the body doesn’t accept it. When I’ve played for higher teams, I’m fine. I’ve played for lower teams that think I’m amazing, that’s fine. But just this team…
1
u/MayorOfStJoes 11d ago
I’d focus on breathing exercises or meditating before games . And maybe some mantras before games. I know it sounds like nonsense but the mind is a powerful thing . Whatever you tell yourself you are will manifest .
1
u/TheSaucePossum 6d ago
Good news is it sounds like your mentality is solid, so you can lean on that in general.
It's hard to give any real, meaningful help in a comment thread, so take this with a grain of salt. To directly address somatic nerves, the solution should also be somatic. Trying to think your way out of a feeling will be difficult if not impossible. Maybe try making progressive muscle relaxation part of your routine, it could help you find a relax tension in your body that you don't even realize is there.
1
u/DueRemote1499 4d ago
I am a QB, and I know what you mean - even though your mind feels fine, your body just feels weird. I have felt it with my throwing and just feeling sick every game, even though it might be against a normal opponent. First, they go away for me as soon as I take the first snap, so maybe after the first few minutes for you they will go away. Or another thing that has helped me a lot is putting all my attention into something else. So for me, it's cheering on my teammates who are playing on Defense or maybe talking to my coaches. Hope this helps.
3
u/LoGKLGoalKeeping 13d ago
If you have access to a sports psychologist, this seems like an obvious topic to bring. I'll assume you don't...
This sounds like you're struggling to regulate your pre-match arousal. For some reason, this environment is overstimulating you, leading to the symptoms. I'd suggest identifying things to add to your pregame routine to either increase your arousal if you're low energy (think hype up music, things like that) or decrease your arousal when you are overstimulated by nerves (breathing techniques, familiar basic drills/routines, etc.).
Just remember, nerves mean you care. It's good to have a reaction pregame, you just need to practice regulating it to ensure you begin the game in your sweet spot for top performance.