New research delves into stress experienced from watching matches

SpaSeekers

With soccer supporters all over the world bracing themselves for nail-biting matches, UK-based spa booking site SpaSeekers.com has created the world’s first massage that specifically targets soccer match nerves.  

Working with massage and relaxation experts at The Spa at Laceby Manor spa in England, the ‘Soccer Stress Massage’ uses bespoke massage techniques to help the body de-stress and encourage a more relaxed state of mind, so that fans can watch their national team without being overcome with nerves.  

Censuswide surveyed 1,000 soccer fans, asking them a range of questions about how nervous they feel while watching a match, and the range of symptoms they experience.

  • 82% of soccer fans say they experience nervousness and stress whilst watching matches 
  • Sweating, shaking and even diarrhea are physical symptoms that are regularly experienced by fans due to the nerves 
  • New research reveals many fans say watching soccer is more stressful than taking an exam, having a job interview, and even public speaking 
  • One of the recommended relaxation techniques involves a head massage using a claw hand formation to target scalp and neck strain 

Each part of the massage has been chosen for its relaxing properties. For example, a self-shoulder massage aims to relax your shoulders, an area that often carries a lot of tension when stressed, by applying pressure in circular motions to release the muscle tension. To promote a feeling of calm and steadiness, the claw shoulder massage involves massaging the head in a claw formation to target scalp and neck strain, often brought on by nerves.  

Shaking, throwing up and diarrhea are all experienced by fans from ‘match stress’ 

Getting nervous or stressed before or during a match is extremely common, with eight in 10 (82%) fans saying they experience anxiety and unease. The most common symptom of pre-match nerves is feeling restless, with more than a quarter (28%) of fans experiencing this, followed by stomach butterflies (27.5%) and sweaty palms (16%).  

One in six (15%) fans experience stomach issues, such as stomach aches or even diarrhea, and 7.5% of fans suffer from nausea or vomiting due to nerves when watching soccer. In fact, one in six (16%) soccer fans found watching a match more nerve-racking than taking an exam – 15% say it’s more stressful than having a job interview, and one in seven (14%) say it’s more anxiety-inducing than public speaking – showing just how stressful live matches can be for fans.  

Top 15 most common effects of soccer nerves 

  1. Feeling restless – 28% 
  1. Stomach butterflies – 27.5% 
  1. Sweaty palms – 16% 
  1. Tense shoulders and/or neck – 15% 
  1. Sweating – 14% 
  1. Heart flutters – 13.5% 
  1. Faster breathing – 11% 
  1. Shaking – 7% 
  1. Headaches – 7% 
  1. An upset stomach – 6.5% 
  1. Stomach aches – 5.5% 
  1. Nausea – 5% 
  1. Short of breath – 5% 
  1. Diarrhea – 3% 
  1. Vomiting – 2.5% 

How to cure soccer stress:

The newly created ‘Soccer Stress Massage’ is designed so it can be performed anywhere, and without any equipment, so whether you watch the match at home or at the bar you’ll be able to experience the benefits. Importantly, the massage has both a ‘solo’ and ‘for friends’ version – meaning you can perform the massage on yourself or help your friends de-stress if you’re all watching together. 

Massage method to de-stress yourself: 

  1. Temple rubs: Place two fingers on your temples and apply light pressure and massage in circular motions for 10 seconds. 
  1. Neck slides: Apply either 2 or 3 fingers to the side of your neck, starting at the base of the scalp. Gently slide them round to the back of the neck, then repeat again slightly lower until you reach the bottom of the neck. Repeat on the opposite side. 
  1. The self-shoulder massage: Cup your hand and place over the opposite shoulder and start to rub in circle motions, apply pressure with your fingertips to work the muscles. Do this for 10 seconds on each side. 
  1. Face tapping: Gently and lightly tap over your face, one finger at a time and increasing speed so your fingers flow. Start at the top of your head and work your way down past your temples and cheeks until you reach your jaw.  

Massage method to destress your friends: 

  1. Claw shoulder massage: Spread your fingers apart and bend slightly, so your hands are like two claws. Then place on either side of their head, with thumbs near the base of their neck and little fingers near the temples. Firmly move your hand in small circular motions, doing five slow circles.  
  1. Calming arm slides: Hold their hand with one hand, and with the other hand use two fingers to firmly slide up their arm – starting from their wrist and ending just before their elbow. Repeat three times. 
  1. Hand rubs: Place your thumb and first two fingers around their knuckle, then firmly work your way to the tip of the fingers. Then gently pull on the nail area.  
  1. Shoulder squeezes: Make a C with your hands and place them over their shoulders, so your thumb is on their back and your fingers are near to their collarbone. Start close to the neck and gently squeeze once, then move slightly down the shoulder. Repeat this until you reach the end of their shoulders.  
  1. Soothing shoulder swipes: Then use your thumbs to follow the shoulder blade round in a swiping motion. Repeat three times. 

Jason Goldberg, Director at SpaSeekers.com, comments: 

“As experts in relaxation, we wanted to do our bit for fans around the world, so they don’t need to feel the stressful effects of watching matches. We’re thrilled to be able to provide a vital tool for those who feel sick with nerves when enduring every free kick, yellow card, or dreaded penalties, and hope that it makes a big difference to nervy soccer supporters during the World Cup.” 

To see the full massage technique and detailed instructions on how to perform the expertly curated massage, visit: https://www.spaseekers.com/spa-insider/inspiration/football-fears/

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Making Football Fairer: Dreamstock DSFootball Platform

Player scouting is one of the most challenging and vitally important tasks a club has to manage, without fresh and skillful new players a club will struggle to compete with its peers.

However, scouting can take a significant amount of time, manpower and research, leaving clubs with less resources at a significant disadvantage.

Additionally, for young players aiming for a professional career in football it can be extremely difficult to get noticed, especially if they are unable to frequently travel to far away tryouts.

To bridge the gap, Japanese organisation Dreamstock aims to reshape traditional scouting procedures via technology.

Launched in 2017, Dreamstock operates one of the largest online player selection platforms in the world – DSFootball.

Via DSFootball, Dreamstock strive to achieve three goals on the path to make football fairer for upcoming talents:

  • Create connections between club and players.
  • Generate opportunities through technology and innovation.
  • Transform the scouting market with transparency

DSFootball Platform 

Available in two packages, DSFootball is a multifaceted platform designed to aid both clubs and players. The first package is designed for grassroots clubs and academy players, while the second is a premium version tailored for professional clubs and players.

Through the DSFootball app, players create a profile that details their physical attributes, location, position and footballing history. Additionally, they can upload video clips of their performances to entice clubs to contact them.

For clubs, the DSFootball platform allows them to search for the perfect players to fit their unique needs by filtering their searches.

The platform houses a vast and expansive youth database for players across the U13, U15, U17 and U20 age groups, presenting the aforementioned player profiles to clubs.

These profiles showcase the important player information scouts need to know, so they can determine if potential players are suitable for them or note. Most importantly, the profiles showcase valuable game footage and clips, allowing scouts and coaches to see the potential of players without travelling to see them in person.

Through the DSFootball platform, clubs can individually contact interesting players via their profiles, or they can launch scouting events and tryouts to assess players in person. Furthermore, DSFootball allows for direct contact to player representatives to foster important connections and conversations.

Via DSFootball, Dreamstock provides a way for clubs to access and scout players they normally never would have been able to under traditional methods, as it drastically reducing barriers for upcoming young players.

In providing each of these services, DSFootball acts as a one-stop-shop for clubs, significantly reducing the amount of hassle they are subjected to.

Global Impact 

Developing from its two headquarters in Brazil and Japan, Dreamstock has achieved significant success in its short lifespan via the DSFootball platform. With the company and its platform having grown active in over 36 countries, encompassing more than 200 clubs and 50 leagues.

Through their work, Dreamstock has fostered key partnerships with premier competitions such as the Bundesliga, Serie A, Eredivisie and even Australia’s very own A-League.

As a product, DSFootball has been revolutionary. With over one million registered players on DSFootball, Dreamstock has created a premier destination for clubs to select future stars from, connecting players to clubs at a faster and more expansive rate than ever before.

For players, DSFootball has proven to be an excellent way to develop personally and attract attention from clubs. Of the one million plus registered players on the DSFootball platform, more than 100,000 are active participants in selection.

There is no sign of Dreamstock slowing down either, attaining over two million website views each month, illustrating a continued desire for the platform.

For more information on Dreamstock and the DSFootball platform, click here.

CoachBetter: Revolutionising football coaching with cutting-edge tools and insights

CoachBetter is a company founded in 2018 in Switzerland with the primary goal to create an advanced coaching app intended to help teams at grassroots and professional level.

The CoachBetter app exists to revolutionise the way football coaches and clubs operate, offering a suite of tools designed to streamline processes, enhance player development, and simplify coaching tasks.

Let’s dive into the features that make CoachBetter the ultimate app for football coaches.

All-in-One Communication Hub

Effective communication is the backbone of any successful team. With CoachBetter’s Integrated App for Players, you can keep everyone on the same page.

Coaches can share training updates, match plans, and important announcements, ensuring that players have easy access to the information they need. This seamless communication fosters a sense of unity and ensures that no crucial detail is overlooked.

Task Management Made Simple

Managing a football team involves juggling multiple responsibilities, from training schedules to administrative tasks.

CoachBetter’s Task Manager serves as your personal coaching assistant, helping you organise, schedule, and prioritise tasks. By automating administrative duties, you can focus more on what matters most: coaching and developing your players.

Visual Learning Through Video Sharing

A picture is worth a thousand words, but a video is worth even more.

CoachBetter enables you to share insightful video sequences with your players and staff. Whether you’re breaking down match footage or highlighting key tactical plays, this feature transforms your video library into an engaging visual playbook, making complex strategies easier to understand.

Build Your Team Philosophy

Every great team has a unique identity and culture. CoachBetter empowers you to spread your coaching philosophy, allowing you to shape a culture that reflects your vision and principles. By articulating your values and approach, you can inspire your players and create a cohesive, motivated squad.

Streamlined Team Management

Managing a team involves more than just strategy; it’s about ensuring smooth coordination across all aspects of the game. CoachBetter offers a range of features to simplify team management:

Training Session Planning: With over 700 pre-built activities, you can plan effective training sessions tailored to your team’s goals. You can also customize sessions to address specific needs.

Game Day Management: Optimize your match-day strategy by documenting games, evaluating performances, and making data-driven tactical adjustments.

Team Coordination: Effortlessly manage communication, schedules, and information sharing, making it easy to keep everyone aligned.

Enhance Performance with Video Analysis

CoachBetter’s Video Analysis tool takes performance reviews to the next level.

You can tag, cut, and share key moments from match footage, enabling players to visualise their strengths and areas for improvement. This feature not only aids individual growth but also strengthens team-wide understanding of tactics.

Prioritising Player Well-Being

Player health is a cornerstone of long-term success. The app’s Player Medical Records feature tracks injury histories, recovery timelines, and overall fitness levels. This ensures that your team is always in peak condition, ready to perform at their best.

Data-Driven Coaching

In today’s game, data is king. CoachBetter provides powerful tools to harness the power of analytics:

Data & Performance Insights: Track individual and team progress, identify trends, and make informed decisions to boost performance.

Player Performance Statistics: Dive deep into metrics that matter, enabling you to pinpoint areas for improvement and drive success.

Continuous Learning for Coaches

The journey to becoming a great coach never ends. CoachBetter offers Coaching Education, a treasure trove of expert articles covering topics like offensive strategies, defensive tactics, and team management. This resource ensures you’re always learning and adapting to the demands of modern football.

Premium Training Packages

For those looking to unlock their team’s full potential, CoachBetter offers Premium Training Packages. These elite programs are designed to ignite progress and push your team to new heights, ensuring you stay ahead of the competition.

Conclusion

CoachBetter isn’t just an app; it’s a game-changer for football coaches and clubs.

By combining cutting-edge technology with practical coaching tools, it simplifies the complexities of team management and empowers coaches to focus on what truly matters: developing their players and achieving success.

In an era where every decision counts, CoachBetter ensures you’re always ahead of the game.

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