Lila Southiere – USA Olympic Development Program Soccer Player

Getting into Soccer: Picking Between Multiple Sports

Lila Southiere’s journey into sports began at a young age, with softball in third grade and soccer in kindergarten. Initially, she played a variety of sports, including figure skating and karate, but soccer and softball quickly became her primary focus. By eighth grade, Lila started playing club soccer, which marked a turning point in her athletic journey. It was during this time that she realized her passion for soccer and the desire to pursue it seriously, potentially at the collegiate level. This shift was influenced by positive experiences with her coaches, who motivated her and made her believe in her potential. Despite initial challenges and considering quitting soccer due to a difficult coach, her determination and the support from a different coach helped her stay on track. In contrast, her interest in softball waned over time, partly due to the individual pressure she felt in the sport. However, she remains open to the possibility of rekindling her love for softball in the future.

Psychological Approach: Battling Performance Anxiety

Lila emphasizes the importance of mental preparation and staying grounded before games. “The most important mental piece isn’t necessarily getting myself hyped up or motivated… it’s actually calming myself down,” she explained. Lila writes one-word goals on her wrist before games to maintain focus and manage anxiety. “That word would be my goal for the game… it has to change every single game,” she noted. This technique helps her stay centered and ensures that even if the game doesn’t go as planned, she has met her personal objective. It also helps her avoid getting caught up in the event, instead breaking it down into a much more simple and manageable objective. For instance, she might write “100%” to remind herself to give her all in every play. Lila also practices visualization, mentally preparing for different scenarios she might face in a game. This helps her manage her racing thoughts and stay focused on what she can control. Additionally, Lila finds talking out her anxious thoughts, either to herself or to someone else, beneficial. “If you suppress these feelings, it’s just going to blow up when you play,” she said. This approach helps her release tension and focus on controllable factors, enhancing her performance on the field. Being someone who battles overthinking and racing thoughts, she has also found solace in journaling about what exactly she is feeling and thinking about, and subsequently crossing off all of the things that she cannot control, allowing her to focus on the dependent variables. Writing things down in itself helps her become more at ease with her racing thoughts.

Physical Routine & Preparation: Preventing Injuries

Lila’s training regimen is adaptive, focusing on both strengths and weaknesses. “It’s really dependent on how I’m feeling… doing cone drills can be limiting to creativity,” she explained. Instead, she prefers free play to enhance creativity and confidence, especially after injuries. Her weekly routine includes easy runs, workout sessions, and long runs. “Monday would be an easy run day… Tuesday I’d have two workouts… Wednesday easy run… Thursday I’d take off… Friday I would do another workout… Saturday I would do a long run,” she detailed. She also emphasizes the importance of hydration, nutrition, and recovery, especially given her history of injuries. In-season, she practices almost daily, with additional strength training sessions three to four times a week to build muscle and enhance performance. Lila also prioritizes proper nutrition, ensuring she eats well-balanced meals that provide the necessary energy for her rigorous training and games. After each game, she cools down and stretches, understanding the importance of these activities in aiding recovery and preventing injuries. This routine includes rolling out her muscles to maintain flexibility and reduce soreness. Given her asthma, she is particularly mindful of staying hydrated and getting adequate rest to ensure she can perform at her best. Her disciplined approach to training and recovery showcases her commitment to her sports and her proactive stance in managing her health.

Key Takeaways: Resilience and Combatting External Opinions

From Lila’s interview, several unique insights emerge that reflect her thoughtful and resilient approach to sports. One standout aspect is her ability to balance the influence of external opinions with her personal goals. Despite having a coach for a parent, which sometimes led to conflicting motivations, Lila learned to prioritize her own interests and aspirations. This ability to navigate external pressures and stay true to her path is a valuable lesson for any athlete. Additionally, her experience with significant injuries has taught her the importance of mental resilience and creative adaptation in training. She emphasizes the need to stay active and engaged, even when dealing with setbacks, by finding alternative ways to train and maintain fitness. Lila’s story also highlights the importance of team dynamics and supportive leadership, as seen in her admiration for a teammate who embodied the qualities of a true leader by motivating and connecting with everyone on the team. Her journey underscores the value of perseverance, adaptability, and self-belief in achieving long-term success in sports.