WHAT IS FLOW STATE??

Flow state means performing an activity with an entirely energized focus, full involvement, and enjoying the process of that activity as if time has stood still. This is complete immersion; footballers sometimes call it being "in the zone" or "on fire".

A psychologist named Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi first used the term 'flow' as part of his theory on optimal experience. According to Csikszentmihalyi, five characteristics define an optimal experience: intense concentration on the task at hand; merging action with awareness so that self disappears from consciousness; loss of reflective self-consciousness; transformation into something else (e.g., time stops passing); loss awareness of boundaries between self/world/others.

WHAT DOES FLOW STATE MEAN FOR A FOOTBALLER?

In flow state, time passes quickly, and your actions feel effortless because there is no longer any separation between your mind and body; they work together seamlessly. When this happens, it's like magic; you make the right decisions, your body is at its best, and you feel strong, fast, confident and powerful. In addition, your performance feels effortless; you don't notice any difficulty or strain. For a footballer, the following can happen.

Physical performance: Mbappe has great stamina, strength and endurance.

Improved physical performance -
Flow state is about more than just improved mental performance. It can also enhance physical performance. Playing football in a flow state elevates running frequency and intensity. Your focus on the task at hand increases significantly, as does your motivation to achieve the task (i.e., scoring or stopping a goal). This means that when you receive the ball, there are no distractions, whether from a pass or interception. All that matters is getting on the ball to do your thing. There's not many more dangerous when this happens than Kylian Mbappe. 

Emotional well-being & Happiness: Messi, always confidently relaxed on matchday.

Increased emotional well-being and happiness -

Flow state is a positive emotional state. A top performer like Lionel Messi plays like he hasn't got a care in the world. It's a state of well-being where we feel content and happy with our current situation in life. In this sense, flow state can be considered the opposite of depression or anxiety: it helps us get out of our heads and live in the present moment instead of dwelling on past regrets or future worries. Flow state reduces stress and anxiety to be "In the moment".

Motivated for Success: Rashford's game benefitted from refocus & reset.

Improved motivation and a better mindset for success -
The role of flow state in football performance can take time to understand. It's not something you can 'do'; it requires a certain mindset and approach to achieve it.

Flow is a mental state where you are entirely immersed in an activity, so much so that everything else around you fades away as though it doesn't exist anymore; this includes thoughts about past experiences or future plans, for example.

When we are in this type of mental state, our focus becomes sharper and clearer because our mind has been freed from distractions such as worrying about failure or defeat. This means we have more energy to focus on what needs doing right now! This is something Marcus Rashford took control of to turn his fortunes around on the pitch. 

WHY FOOTBALLERS IN FLOW STATE PLAY BETTER

Flow involves finding a balance between challenge and skill. For example, playing top-level football requires a high degree of skill; when players are challenged to produce skill confidently, they are more likely to experience this heightened state of consciousness. Players with a better technical skill set, physical abilities and tactical knowledge are more likely to achieve flow during games.

Research has shown that individuals in flow tend to perform more at their highest level. This is because the best players make split-second decisions on the pitch whilst effortlessly carrying out complex movements without doubt.

Feelings during these moments can be described as euphoric, where focus becomes extremely narrowed down to only what's happening right at that moment - making everything else seem insignificant compared to achieving success, in this case, playing football.