Even if you’re not a football fan, you probably know that Hans van Breukelen was one of the best goalkeepers in the Netherlands. Although his career had high peaks as well as deep troughs, Van Breukelen is convinced that success can be achieved. In his book ‘Winning’ he writes what distinguishes winners from losers. How do you turn a talent into a top player?
Publisher:
Author:
Hans van Breukelen
Year of publication:
Price:
€19.95
ISBN:
9789020410846
Number of pages:
298
Hans van Breukelen scored no fewer than 73 times for the national team. By stopping the decisive penalty kick, he won the European Cup I with PSV in 1988. In the same year he played an important role for the Orange squad in winning the European Championship, again by stopping a penalty kick.
Useful lessons
These successes did not exactly come to Van Breukelen. In ‘Winnen’ he writes how he considered parking his car against a tree at 150 kilometers per hour a season earlier. After a blunder with a clump of grass that gives the opposing team an equalizing free kick, he is in sackcloth. He said he was a victim of bullying and the laughingstock in the sports media. After two weeks of thinking in a secluded holiday home in Switzerland, his wife convinced him that he should go into battle. Not with the rest of the world, but with themselves. He sought help from a haptonomist and went through mental changes.
He shares the useful lessons that Van Breukelen learned on his way to success in ‘Winning’. In addition, he interviewed 57 (former) internationals and spoke to all kinds of football experts, from physiotherapists to coaches and scientists, but also the parents and partners of football players. Van Breukelen tries to answer questions such as: Why do some people win where others fail? Are talents made or born? Is speed, technique and tactics the most important or do mental qualities play an important role?
mind sport
According to Hans van Breukelen, football is a mind sport par excellence. After all, no duel is the same. In a match you may have to make a hundred decisions and immediately. Top footballers are quick thinkers. Training concentration, visualization, commitment and discipline can make the difference between a good football player and a winner. Although this vision is embraced by coaches and top players, according to Van Breukelen there is still too little attention for the mental side in the training and scouting of young football players. Perhaps football with its culture of tough cocks is not yet ready for mental coaches and psychological counseling.
Van Breukelen launches the football thinking model for those who do want to get started with their footballing spirit. According to this model, top players have to go through three steps at lightning speed and as undisturbed as possible. This foundation should be the starting point of any training. Van Breukelen also emphasizes the importance of setting goals and always choosing new goals when you have achieved them. He concludes his book with eleven insights that changed his life and can turn budding professional football players into winners.
Different visions
‘Winning’ is an interesting book for football players, their parents and coaches, but also for those who like to follow this sport from the living room or the stadium. Van Breukelen alternates his own vision with that of many prominent figures, such as Clarence Seedorf, Edwin van der Sar, Frank de Boer, Dirk Kuyt, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Frank Rijkaard, Arjen Robben, Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Dennis Bergkamp, Wesley Sneijder, Guus Hiddink, Louis van Gaal and Bert van Marwijk. Moreover, there are all kinds of anecdotes to read from Van Breukelen’s career.
Part of the proceeds of the book will go to three charities: the Spieren voor Spieren foundation, the Dirk Kuyt Foundation and the Suriprofs.
