How today’s young athletes are changing what it means to succeed under pressure
Today’s young footballers are growing up in a very different world. The pressure starts earlier and sticks with them throughout their careers. With social media getting bigger every day, every touch, miss, or shot is seen and judged right away. The crowd is huge, chances seem closer, but there’s less room for mistakes than ever before.
Jed Haggar, a South London footballer and Under Armour Next Athlete, knows all about this pressure. For him, handling it well is what makes him stand out. “Some people might be naturally good at dealing with pressure because of their personality, but I believe you can also get better at it by going through tough experiences,” he told LADbible during the HeatGear campaign.
But football isn’t the only thing putting pressure on Jed. Off the field, he wants to be a strength and conditioning coach and is already working toward that while balancing high-level football, school, and a job. When asked if both parts of his life help each other, he said, “Both football and studying need the same things—practice, patience, and sticking with it.”
He adds, “I didn’t find balancing everything too hard. It takes discipline, but if you keep your priorities clear, there’s always time for what really matters—like training and studying.”
At 21, Jed has played football for as long as he can remember. But as he’s grown, his view has changed. When asked what advice he’d give his younger self, he said simply: enjoy it. “I’d tell myself to enjoy life more and not stress so much,” he shared. “Now, I appreciate things more and feel happier. That mindset helps me both in life and when I’m playing. I’m calmer, trust myself more, and don’t overthink.”
That’s a lesson many young players should take to heart. The pressure and expectations arrive early, but learning how to manage it—or even use it—matters just as much as having great skills.