adidas Says: You Got This—And Here’s How to Prove It
Let’s be real—sports are tough. Whether it’s a last-minute penalty kick, a buzzer-beater three-pointer, or just lacing up for yet another early-morning training session, every athlete—no matter how seasoned—has had moments of doubt. And according to adidas, what’s being said from the sidelines could be the difference between an athlete stepping up or walking away.
In its latest campaign, You Got This, adidas isn’t just celebrating talent; it’s reshaping the conversation around support in sports. The brand’s new global study uncovers the Sideline Effect—a hard-hitting reality check that reveals 4 in 5 athletes experience unhelpful behaviors from coaches, parents, teammates, and supporters. Yes, that “Come on, you HAVE to win this!” or the passive-aggressive silent treatment after a bad game? Turns out, it’s not the pep talk you think it is.
The Playbook for Positivity
So what actually helps? adidas, in collaboration with sports psychologists and global icons like Aitana Bonmatí, Anthony Edwards, Aliyah Boston, Jürgen Klopp, Lamine Yamal, and Son Heung-min, has compiled the Sideline Essentials—a toolkit designed to turn pressure into empowerment.
Here’s what to stop doing ASAP:
Scoreboard shouting – Constantly reminding athletes of the score? It’s only adding pressure.
Standing back – Giving athletes space after a bad game sounds supportive, but it can actually feel isolating.
Outcome obsession – Winning is great, but only focusing on results can drain the joy out of the game.
Videogame coaching – Shouting instructions every second doesn’t help—it overwhelms.
Post-game analysis overload – Breaking down every mistake right after a match? Let them breathe first.
Instead, adidas is championing five small yet powerful shifts in sideline behavior—ones that could encourage up to 20 million more athletes to keep playing.
The Power of Belief, Backed by the Best
Football superstar Son Heung-min puts it best: “Even the smallest bit of support can make the biggest difference. A simple ‘keep going’ or even a smile from the right person on the sidelines holds so much power.”
With this in mind, adidas is taking You Got This from words to action. Expect to see some of the world’s top athletes showing up for grassroots sports, standing pitch-side, and proving that positivity isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s game-changing.
And Malaysia? We’re in on this too. adidas is spotlighting homegrown athletes and their stories of resilience while rolling out community-driven training sessions, city and trail runs, and social movements encouraging people to share their own You Got This moments with #YouGotThis.
More Than a Campaign—A Movement
For adidas, this isn’t just about selling sportswear—it’s about reshaping the culture of support in sports. You Got This is a call to action for everyone—not just the players, but the people who shape their game.
So the next time you’re on the sidelines, remember: A little belief goes a long way. And sometimes, the best thing you can say isn’t “Win this”—it’s “You got this.”
