When playing a sport, you are going to have bad days, especially if you play soccer goalie like me.
I am Mason Kasimov, Eric’s son. I am a soccer goalie and having bad days comes with the job—for me and even for the best goalies in the country like Tim Howard and Zack Steffen. So, since bad days come with the job, what are you going to do about it? All you can do is remind yourself that it happens to the best of them.
Here is what I do to keep my mind right while playing keeper:
- I remember that each bad day in goal is bringing me one step closer to good days.
- I try to figure out what I did wrong—so I can work on it to get better.
- I think about the things I did well—in other words, I focused on keeping my head high so I don’t feel awful. Feeling sorry for myself doesn’t help. Trust me, I’ve tried it.
- I always remember goalies have to have a “short-term memory” so when I let in a goal I do the opposite of remember—I forget it and focus on saving the next one shot.
Above all, I DO NOT blame my mistakes on others.
At least…I am trying to do all these things. After all, I’m only 13! (Oh wait, no excuses!)