As a Football (soccer) player, do you face
these problems?
- Do you train hard but don’t get the results?
- Does your mind let you down?
- Do your nerves overcome you?
- Do your competitors intimidate you?
- Does your anger stop you from winning?
- Do you lose because of little mistakes?
- Do your negative thoughts hurt you?
- Is your mindset a mess?
- Do you find it hard to bounce back?
- Do you find your results are not consistent?
- Are you a talented athlete but your negative mindset hurts you every day?
- Is your mindset like quicksand that drags you down?
- Does it stop you from winning and performing at your best?
Areas you can get help with to compete and dominate at the very highest levels of Football League…
“At the elite level, its 80% mind and 20% body. At the top in any sport, the most successful athletes are not only physically talented, they have the mindset of a champion”
- Positivity
- Motivation
- Best Self
- Focus & Concentration
- Nerves & Anxiety
- Team cohesion
- Peak Performance Planning
- Bounce back
- World class attitude
- Champions Body Language
- Mastering your reactions
- Consistency
- Cutting Edge Mindset
- ‘Mind Hacking’ techniques
- Mind Game plans
- Mindset skills, strategies and procedures
- Visualisation & visual assimilation
- Mindfulness
- Emotion management
- Deal with pressure
- Creating Positive team environments
- Competition & Game day Systems
- Goals, targets & trackers
- Sports Growth Mindset
- Self belief, Trust and Faith
- Confidence
- Champions systems, processes and SOPs
- Mindset simulation in training
- Reflection & Projection
The Key Mindset Challenges in Soccer / Football
The Elite Sport
Mindset Coach
John Novak is widely known as Australia’s No. 1 Sports Mindset Specialist, with his athletes reaching National and International success at World Championships, Olympics and Major Championships.
His athletes include Grace Kim (Evian Championship Winner 2025) and Jake Weatherald (Australian Test Cricket, 2025–26 Ashes). John has published numerous Sports Mindset books and presented across TV, radio and podcasts.
John has worked at the highest levels of professional sport as Mindset Coach for Sydney FC (A-League 2021–2023) and Melbourne FC (AFL 2023). He was previously Head Mindset Coach at Manly Sea Eagles NRL (2019–2022), Canterbury Bulldogs NRL (2012–2017) and Sydney Roosters (2009). He also has been the mindset coach of the Sydney Kings (NBL) and NSW Waratahs (Super Rugby).
He has worked with hundreds of elite athletes and teams in 50+ different sports. His extensive experience in sports mindset is unparalleled.
1+1=3
What happens when you add an Elite Mindset Coach to an Elite Athlete or Team?
John’s proven and tested mindset program has a multiplication effect. He helps the athlete or team achieve results far greater than usually possible.
His program has guided athletes and teams to achieve results quicker. His strategies vastly improve your performance to achieve outstanding results.
John’s athletes become leaders going on to captain national teams in a variety of sports. The program is simple, clear and easy to action. This is why his athletes enjoy the multiplication effect.
Every athlete or team John works with develops laser focus on what’s required and how to achieve their targets.
His athletes and teams get the results!
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How it works?
Even though every athlete requires a tailored mindset program, the formula to fast track success is the same.
Step 1
Initial Mindset Assessment
Step 2
Develop Specific Sports Mindset Targets
Step 3
Tailored Mindset Program with Detailed Action Plan
Step 4
Track and Celebrate Progress
Step 5
Review and Create Higher Tragets
While Working with John, his athletes achieved:
Frequently Asked Questions
How can a mindset coach improve my football performance?
A: A football mindset coach helps you perform consistently in matches the way you do in training, handle pressure moments with composure, bounce back from mistakes quickly, and maintain confidence across a long season. John Novak worked as Mindset Coach for Sydney FC A-League (2021–2023) and has coached individual Socceroos representatives. His football-specific program addresses the mental demands of every position, from the goalkeeper who must reset after conceding to the striker managing a goal drought.
How do footballers deal with missing penalties?
A: Missing a penalty is one of the hardest mental experiences in football — high visibility, high consequence, and an immediate replay in the mind. John Novak teaches footballers a specific post-miss recovery protocol: a physical reset action, a focus-shift sequence, and a mindset reframe that processes the miss quickly and returns focus to the next play. More importantly, he works with players on their pre-penalty routine so they approach the spot with a consistent, composed mental state regardless of the situation.
Does John Novak work with football teams as well as individual players?
A: Yes. John Novak served as Mindset Coach for Sydney FC in the A-League for three seasons (2021–2023), working with the full squad, coaching staff, and support team. His team programs focus on collective mindset — team cohesion, shared belief, culture, and the mental environment that allows individual talent to translate into team performance. He has also worked with rugby league and AFL clubs at NRL and AFL level in the same capacity.
Can a football goalkeeper benefit from mindset coaching?
A: Goalkeeping is one of the most mentally demanding positions in any team sport — a single error can decide a match, and every mistake happens in front of everyone. John Novak works specifically with goalkeepers on error-recovery (the ability to reset after conceding), focus management across long periods without direct involvement, and pre-save composure routines. Andrew Redmayne, Sydney FC goalkeeper and Socceroos international, has worked with John and credits his mindset work as central to his development.
Does John Novak offer football mindset coaching online for players outside Australia?
A: Yes. John Novak provides online football mindset coaching to players and clubs worldwide — including the UK, Europe, USA, Asia, and the Middle East. All coaching is conducted via video call and is just as effective as in-person work. The mental skills, strategies, and programs transfer completely to online delivery. Many of John’s current football clients are based internationally.
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