For Alingsås IF, who makes its debut in Damallsvenskan, the preparations are crucial to stand against the more established teams. Although the club has limited resources, coach Peo Häggström has been quick to bring in a mental coach to strengthen both players and leaders. The goal is to create a strong mental foundation that helps the team manage both expectations and adversities during the season.
“It is obviously very important to work on the mental,” says Moa Jarl, defender in Alingsås. Häggström says that through a mix of individual meetings and group exercises they have worked with goals and how players can handle adversities. The group exercises also focus on strengthening self -confidence and focus, which is crucial when the team is now facing tough challenges in Damallsvenskan.
Malmö FF’s bet to reach the top
Malmö FF, which climbed quickly from Division 4 to Damallsvenskan, also has high expectations. To manage the press and establish themselves as a top team, the team has chosen to include mental training as part of their investment. Midfielder Nellie Lilja explains the importance of mental strength to keep confidence up throughout the season.
– There may be a lot of brain ghosts during a season. If you lose self -confidence, it affects both will and performance, says Lilja, and emphasizes how mental training can be crucial to the team’s performance.
A growing trend
According to the interest organization Elite football women, only four of 14 teams in Damallsvenskan use mental coaching or sports psychologists. But Lilja believes that more teams will follow and invest in mental training in the future. For both newcomers such as Alingsås and Malmö, as well as established teams aimed at top results, mental support becomes increasingly important to achieve success on the pitch.
As the season starts, both Alingsås IF and Malmö FF will be mentally prepared to meet the challenges in Damallsvenskan – and the hope is that mental training will be a decisive factor in the law’s quest for success.