What is a soccer analysis and how can you use it to improve your performance?

As athletes we can improve by being aware of our weaknesses and creating a plan to improve them.

In soccer, quality skill, fitness and mindset sets players apart from the numbers. But how often do players analyze their skill, fitness and mindset and create a plan to improve?

One method of analyzing your skill, fitness and mindset is by using a SWOT analysis. A SWOT analysis is used all around the world by professionals in industry and sport to create a clear understanding of the present state of a situation and look for opportunities for improvement.

SWOT stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats.

• Strengths describe what an individual excels at, allowing decisions on how to gain a competitive advantage. A player should be aware of their strengths and aim to polish them as often as possible.
• Weaknesses stop an individual from performing at their optimum level. They have the potential to reduce progress or to give a competitive edge to the competition. A player needs to minimize weaknesses and analyze how they can be improved.
• Opportunities refer to favorable external or internal factors that an individual can use to its advantage. If used effectively, opportunities have the potential to create a competitive advantage.
• Threats refer to factors that have the potential to negatively impact a player or team. A player must be aware of their threats and take action to avoid them and remove them from mind.

Understanding your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats gives you a foundation that you can use to build and improve upon. Be sure to be honest with yourself.

Below is of one of my recent Soccer SWOT Analysis’:­