How the next generation of athletes are redefining what it means to thrive under pressure

The next generation of footballers are developing in a different world. The pressure arrives earlier and follows them throughout their budding young careers.

With social media now more prominent than ever and growing in strength by the day, every touch, miss or shot is now captured and analysed instantly. The audience has never been bigger, opportunities feel more accessible but the margin for error is now smaller than ever.

For Jed Haggar, an Under Armour Next Athlete hailing from South London who specialises in football, pressure has been ever-present in his life - but dealing with that is how he sets himself apart from the crowd.

“I think some people are naturally better at performing under pressure because of their personality, but I definitely think it’s something you can develop and adapt to through experience,” he told LADbible while speaking to them as part of the HeatGear campaign.

But football isn’t the only pressure young ballers, like Jed, balance in everyday life. Off the pitch, he has ambitions to become a strength and conditioning coach and has already set these plans into motion as he juggles performing at a high level, studying and working.

When asked about whether or not the two aspects of his life can be mutually beneficial for one another, he added: “I’d say they both teach the same principles. Whether it’s studying or football, both take repetition, patience, and consistency to improve.

“Honestly, I didn’t struggle too much with balancing it. I think it takes discipline, but as long as you have your priorities straight, you can always make time for the important things in life, like training and studying.”

The 21-year-old has been playing football for as long as he can remember. But as he has grown older - while continuing to develop both on and off the pitch - his perspective has changed.

When asked if he had a message for his younger self, knowing what he knows now, the answer was simple - enjoy it.

“I’d definitely tell my younger self to enjoy life more and not put so much pressure on myself,” he said.

“As I’ve got older, I’ve become more appreciative and a lot happier, and I think that mindset has helped me both in life and on the pitch.

“I’m more level-headed now, enjoy the game more, and trust myself instead of overthinking or stressing too much.”

It is a lesson that many young players can and should learn from. Expectations and pressure are arriving earlier than ever but learning to manage that, or even harness it, is just as important as possessing elite ability.