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The use of self-compassion techniques in elite footballers: mistakes as opportunities to learn

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 October 2022

I. A. James ,
B. Medea ,
M. Harding ,
Danny Glover  and
B. Carraça
I. A. James*
Affiliation:
Innovations Department, CNTW NHS Trust, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Westgate Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
B. Medea
Affiliation:
Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
M. Harding
Affiliation:
Newcastle United FC, Osborne Clinic, Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
Danny Glover
Affiliation:
Burnley FC Academy, Burnley, UK
B. Carraça
Affiliation:
Lisbon University, Lisbon, Portugal
*
*Corresponding author. Email: Ianandrew.james@cntw.nhs.uk
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Abstract

Mistakes made by players during a game are common in football, and when handled well they provide opportunities to learn and develop skills. However, when there is excessive self-criticism associated with the error, leading to dysfunctional cognitions about the self, there is the potential for a reduction in performance and wellbeing. Self-criticism can serve a number of functions but when it is excessive and undermines a player’s sense of adequacy and self-esteem it can lead to anxiety and depression. The current article explores the use of self-compassion techniques as methods for reducing the potential negative impacts of self-criticism.

This paper is a narrative review of the literature, examining the theory and evidence base associated with the use of self-compassion approaches in sport, particularly football. The article presents protocols used with professional footballers to promote performance and wellbeing.

Key learning aims

  1. (1) Elite athletes are prone to a range of mistakes and stressors, sport and non-sport related, that they are required to deal with in order to maintain their performance and wellbeing.

  2. (2) Self-compassion strategies are useful techniques for elite athletes to both help maintain wellbeing and prevent the occurrence of ‘mental health symptoms’.

  3. (3) Evidence suggests that self-compassion strategies are helpful to footballers, and beneficial protocols have been used in studies with professional footballers.

Keywords

compassionmental healthsports psychologyself-criticismwellbeing
Type
Empirically Grounded Clinical Guidance Paper
Information
the Cognitive Behaviour Therapist , Volume 15 , 2022 , e43
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2022. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies

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References

Further reading

Gilbert, P. (2020). Compassion: from its evolution to a psychotherapy. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 1–31. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.586161 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Walton, C. C., Osborne, M. S., Gilbert, P., & Kirby, J. N. (2022). Nurturing self-compassionate performers. Australian Psychologist, 57, 77–85.CrossRefGoogle Scholar

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