For underdog teams to win matches requires a change in mindset. Instead of seeing your team as second rate, you need to see your team in a different light completely. Underdogs have learned not to be afraid of losing, and this is a huge advantage to the underdog team. The other team expects to win and won’t consider the losers a real threat. Being the underdog is great motivation to win and prove them all wrong.
Underdogs see the scoreboard as friend or foe
Scoreboards can be terribly demotivating and unfriendly, especially to the losing team. In the past, players had to rely on questionable manual scoreboards, but in these times of modern technology and exciting LED video scoreboard, whether you’re winning or losing, the scoreboard can be a friend.
They stimulate spectator excitement by keeping the fans up to date on scores, the penalties and the time left in the game. For the underdogs, this can be hugely motivating, especially when the camera suddenly pauses on fans in the team colors cheering them on. At a glance, they can also see their scores getting closer to, or even overtaking, the other team.
They use all five senses
Our five senses can play a huge part in determining the way we change our mindset from underdogs to winners. Starting with the eyes, underdogs learn to look at the team players and their positive physical attributes.
They learn to listen and imagine, hearing the spectators cheering them on and hearing the positive words of the coach and other team members, and knowing that they have to put everything in not to disappoint the fans. They use their senses to smell and taste victory and savor it. They use every sense they have to ensure that if they do lose, they have won favor with the crowds for putting in such an entertaining, splendid effort.
Motivational coach
The coach plays a huge part in determining whether a team wins or loses. A good coach can take a team out of the doldrums in a few weeks if he has the right attitude and qualities. He should be able to build strong relationships with each player and should be positive and enthusiastic, even with an underdog team.
The coach has to set a good example and be supportive and respectful of his team and be able to communicate his ideas and plans well. With all these attributes, the team should want to push themselves to greater heights.
They work as a team and not as individuals
Within a team, there needs to be team spirit and camaraderie. If this is lacking, underdogs can’t hope to be victorious. With players, sponsors, coaches or managers, they all need to have mutual trust, friendship, goals, respect and support for each other. The stronger the team, the stronger the motivation and passion for winning.
Each team member must feel the other’s passion, drive and optimism in moving from underdog to winner. They need to realize together that it takes patience, passion, and determination to get to the top. Remember, if you always improve, you will always be a winner.
They don’t have pressure
There is a strong belief that any match played on home soil will be a winning game. This may be true in most instances, but there is sometimes a very real disadvantage in playing at home. Playing in familiar surroundings and in front of a home crowd puts great pressure on players to win.
The underdogs have the advantage of no pressure and no expectations to win. They’re expected to lose. They know what it’s like to lose and can play their hearts out. Playing away becomes an advantage to them. Victory is in sight.