Bill Beswick - One Goal: The Mindset of Winning Soccer Teams

This inspirational new release offers insightful ideas from the very highest level of sport. Bill Beswicks influence with countless winning teams makes One Goal a top priority for anyone seeking to become the best in sport, business and life.

Tom Bates

Performance Psychologist, West Bromwich Albion Football Club

The lessons I have learned from my mentor can now be yours. Read One Goal and become a better coach.

Steve Round

Former Assistant Manager, Manchester United, Everton

For nearly 20 years, Bill Beswick has given me great advice at the college and MLS levels. He has helped me become a better coach and, more important, a better person. I cannot recommend his work more highly.

Schellas Hyndman

Head Mens Soccer Coach, Grand Canyon University

I value Bill Beswicks wisdom in helping our team work toward achieving their potential each year. His understanding of situations and individuals makes him an amazing resource for all coaches.

Shelley Smith

Head Womens Soccer Coach, University of South Carolina

Bill Beswick has built my awareness of the importance of a team mindset. Learn how to keep your team relationships healthy with One Goal.

Anthony Hudson

Head Coach, New Zealand National Team

Meeting with Bill is best, but this book is a good second best. It has a special place on my desk so I can continue to help in developing the stars of tomorrow.

Chris Panayiotou

Developmental Director of Coaching, Virginia Rush Soccer Club

Bill is the man! Read this book and find out why.

Brent Erwin

Assistant Mens Soccer Coach, Grand Canyon University

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Beswick, Bill.

One goal : the mindset of winning soccer teams / Bill Beswick.

pages cm

Includes bibliographical references and index.

1. Soccer--Psychological aspects. I. Title.

GV943.9.P7B477 2016

796.334019--dc23

2015015769

ISBN: 978-1-4504-6578-6 (print)

Copyright 2016 by Bill Beswick

All rights reserved. Except for use in a review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying, and recording, and in any information storage and retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher.

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E6062

I have been fortunate enough to have had a playing career of 18 years with two great clubs, Manchester United and Everton, and to have represented my country in the England National Team. As one of the Class of 92 at United I was part of a team that achieved everything its possible to achieve in football. The emphasis under the leadership of Sir Alex Ferguson was on winning as a team. Though we had many star individual players, the team always came first. Our strength as a team meant that in the closing stages of games our togetherness and mental resilience would dominate.

When I moved to Everton I took the lessons from United with me. The manager, David Moyes, encouraged me to lead and soon made me captain. Fortunately David and Everton believed in a team first approach, and I was able to strengthen this mindset both on and off the field. Whilst not winning major trophies, Everton consistently stayed in the top eight of the Premier League and qualified to compete in Europe in several seasons. Though considered as having less talent than United, Everton built a similarly tough winning mindset, based on professionalism, dedication and resilience. As captain I understood and relished my responsibility as a leader to shape the teams thinking.

Now that Im taking my coaching qualifications I often reflect on how that winning team mindset at United and Everton was created and maintained. Thats why I was pleased to find that Bill had written this book on the topic to help the next generation of coaches. Bill and I have often spoken together, so I know he understands what makes players and teams tick. Thats why I can recommend this book to other coaches keen to develop their teams.

Phil Neville

Manchester United

Everton

England

This book reflects my long experience with teams at grassroots, professional and international levels. Its purpose is to share a key lesson learned: that teams win not only because they have superior talent but also because they have a superior mindset.

Team mindsetthe way that a team collectively think and feel in any given situationis a powerful weapon that governs winning behaviour when positive, focused and strong. Many teams with lesser talent have won because of the strength of their attitude. Likewise, talented teams with weaker mindsets are always vulnerable to shock defeats. Of course, great talent plus great mindset is an unbeatable combination.

My role is to help coaches build a winning mindset in their team. In the competitive world of soccer, this is an everyday challenge. Team mindset is always under pressure from a wide range of negative influences. Coaches may find themselves injecting confidence when their team are anxious and adding a measure of anxiety when their team are too confident.

This need to build a positive team mindset applies to all coaches and all teams regardless of age, gender or level of competition. Teams can only maximise on their talent if they have a mindset fully committed to the hard work of preparing to win. Winning teams are characterised by their passion to practice and learn and their toughness to persist regardless of circumstances.