Discovering Superpowers: A New Approach to Self-Reflection in Soccer

Reflecting on my journey and experiences as an athlete, the concept of superpowers intrigues me. For me, perseverance, grit, and passion have always been foundational–my “DNA mash-up.” At 13 years old, I wrote about this in my first piece for a writing competition that my soccer club hosted. But since writing this piece, after a few years, I’ve realized that being coachable, open to learning, and relentlessly curious is my true athletic superpower.

I recently came across a great read about individuals and “superpowers,” and Champion Minded author Allistair McCaw asked a question. He shares that he believes we all have at least two superpowers and states, “successful people are no more talented or gifted than anyone else. They have simply found what they are good at, and made it their superpower.” He went on to say that successful people never stop working on improving their superpowers. Next, he asked the readers, “What are your two Superpowers?”

As I reflected on my answer to his question, I realized one common practice in many soccer programs is our biannual coach-player feedback. These evaluations are an important part of our athletic development as they offer insights into our strengths, areas for improvement, and opportunities for growth. However, what if we expanded the traditional feedback framework to help players uncover and develop their unique athletic superpowers?

I like the idea of trying to move beyond the strengths and weaknesses section of a performance evaluation or to coin-term areas of improvement. Traditional evaluations focus on standard criteria of technical and tactical skills and also teamwork. Though essential, I feel they don’t always encourage deeper self-reflection or help athletes identify the qualities that set them apart.

Instead of simply asking, “What are your strengths?” or “What do you need to work on?” we could introduce questions like:

• “What do you believe your superpowers are?”
• “How do you use these superpowers to impact your team positively?”
• “What steps can you take to further strengthen your superpowers?”

I believe this shift encourages athletes to think about their abilities beyond the technical and physical aspects of the game. It challenges us to consider how our mindset, approach to learning, and unique traits contribute to our success both on and off the field.

The power of self-discovery and identifying our superpowers not only helps us gain confidence but also helps us develop a sense of ownership over our growth. For example, when I think about being “coachable,” it’s not just about taking the coach or trainer’s feedback. It’s also about how I apply it. I’ve learned to ask myself reflective questions like:

• Am I truly seeking feedback to grow, or am I just going through the motions?
• Am I creating opportunities to learn from teammates, coaches, or even opponents?
• How can I use my curiosity to help others improve as well?

Through this self-analysis and reflection, I’ve discovered that being coachable isn’t just my superpower. It’s also a way I can inspire others, hopefully fostering a culture of growth within my teams.

Applying Superpower Reflection in Biannual Feedback

The approach that clubs and programs could structure the players’ self-evaluations around could be self-discovery and goal-setting:

1. Pre-Feedback Reflection

Players complete a self-assessment, identifying their perceived superpowers and examples of how they’ve used them.

2. Coach Input

Coaches share their observations of the player’s superpowers and how these traits benefit the team.

3. Collaborative Goal-Setting

Together, the player and coach create a plan to refine and leverage these superpowers while addressing areas for growth.

By redefining and restructuring feedback to focus on athletes’ superpowers, we empower our athletes to see themselves as more than just players. Athletes are more self-aware and recognize their unique values. Allistair McCaw’s Champion Minded reminds us that uncovering and honing our superpowers can lead to excellence in sports and life.

By embracing this approach, sports programs and clubs can inspire their athletes to identify their superpowers and take ownership of their growth, After all, true competitors don’t just play the game, they elevate it. For me, this process has only deepened my love for the game and reinforced the importance of traits like curiosity, grit, and being coachable.

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