Digital tools to provide support

During a period of home confinement, episodes of anxiety and depression are common. For this reason, clubs are focused on transmitting clear information about psychological keys, studies, routines or nutrition. Athletic Club for example is sending such material to all players and coaches in all areas of the club, as well as opening up digital platforms to them.

“With some teams some sessions are being done through digital platforms to talk about how we are coping with this situation and what the positive aspects are,” commented Rincón. “It is important for everyone to express how they are feeling.”

Sevilla FC has also developed such correspondence to disseminate among the players, staff and their families, in which recommendations are given to help manage the quarantine. “This helps to not only to focus on not spreading the virus, but to prevent the creation of excessive stress or alarm both in players and their families,” Gamito said.

For its part, Levante UD also holds individual meetings with the players as a matter of routine. During this period, mental health training meetings are being held by videoconference. In addition, daily contact is maintained with the players to take an interest in their personal situation. “Working with players who are homebound and alone is especially important,” Bernat said. “Let’s bear in mind that the context is varied among players from other countries, players with children, players with partners or single players. We try to adapt to the reality of each one.”

Fighting as a team

With tough challenges ahead, communities around the world will need to work together. Within football clubs, this is already a well-understood message and the notion of teamwork will form a key part of all psychological training.

At Real Valladolid CF, the club’s youth teams are trained with the message of “belonging to a group” and fighting for a common purpose, namely, to overcome the current pandemic. In the same way as approaching a football match, they are taught to understand the different roles that everyone will have and how to best facilitate hospital, police or military personnel to meet their own challenges.

This team approach extends to the household and serves as a useful approach for others who are required to be indoors. “We have explained the importance of taking on and dividing tasks at home and have players with tools for conflict resolution”, said Lander Hernández, who manages psychological training for the club’s youth teams.

In a constantly evolving situation, nothing can be certain, and difficulties are being faced by everyone. But as a general guide, Levante UD offers its approach that has already been shared among the club. “Focus on the present; structure the tasks of the next day; make sense of each day by setting goals, try not to alter the start and end times of sleep; do not hide your restlessness; talk about it with the closest people to you; and try to accept the situation,” Bernat concluded.