The Simple Habit That Separates Good Players from Great Ones

Why Routine Matters More Than You Think

By Diego Bocanegra – 25+ year college soccer coaching veteran

Summer is a blast—tournaments, vacations, late nights with friends. But let’s be honest… it can also be exhausting. By the time August rolls around, both players and parents are running on fumes. Now the school year is here, the fall soccer season is starting, and life is getting a little more… routine.

Here’s the thing—routine gets a bad rap. Some people think it means boring. I’d argue it’s the opposite. As a coach for over 25 years, I’ve seen first-hand that this simple habit—building and sticking to a routine—can be the difference between a good player and a great one.

That’s why I sat down with my business partner, Dr. Brad Miller, a clinical and sport psychologist, to talk about how routines actually work in the brain and why they’re a game-changer for performance.

Q&A with Dr. Brad Miller:

Diego: Brad, let’s start with the basics. Why are routines so important?

Dr. Miller: Routines give you structure and a sense of control—both in life and on the field. When you know what to expect, your stress goes down, your focus sharpens, and your decision-making improves. That’s when performance really starts to climb.

Diego: Okay, so what’s actually going on in the brain that makes routines so powerful?

Dr. Miller: Think about what makes a big test or a big game stressful—it’s the unknown. When we’re not sure what’s coming, our brain flips into “threat mode.” That’s when we overthink, worry about mistakes, or even shy away from challenges.

Routines cut through that uncertainty. Especially on game day, a familiar, predictable plan tells your brain: Relax—you’ve been here before. That sense of comfort lowers stress and frees you up to tap into your training, play with confidence, and perform at your peak.

Diego: Love that. As a coach, I’ve seen players transform just by locking in a good pregame routine. It’s like their nerves finally work for them instead of against them.

Dr. Miller: Exactly. Routines create mental space. You stop wasting energy worrying, and you start using that energy to compete.

Your Turn to Build Your Routine

Here’s my challenge to you—don’t wait until the night before your next game to think about how you’re going to prepare. Start building your daily and game-day routines now.

Whether it’s:

• How you start your morning
• How you warm up
• The way you calm your mind before kickoff

....find what works for you and stick to it.

Want some inspiration? Our Soccer Resilience Courses show exactly how our pro ambassadors use routines to stay calm, focused, and ready for anything. Steal their tips, make them your own, and watch your confidence and consistency skyrocket this season.

🧠 Mental Health Tip for August

When Life Blindsides Your Routine

A negative surprise can flip your brain into threat mode fast—energy drops, focus scatters, and even simple habits (walk the dog, morning gym, meeting a friend) feel heavy. That disruption adds to the sense of being out of control, which ramps up stress and anxiety.

How to rebound when you’re thrown off:

• Keep one tiny non-negotiable: Do a 5–10 minute version of any core habit (quick walk, light stretch, two minutes of breathing).

• Shrink, don’t skip: If the full workout or hangout isn’t possible, do a micro-dose to keep the rhythm alive.

• Lock one anchor time: keep a consistent wake, meal, or wind-down time—even if everything else is trimmed.

Small, repeatable steps restore predictability → control → confidence—the foundation of mental resilience after a tough surprise.