<Peak Level> How To Play Under Pressure
Performing At Peak Levels In Sport & Life
One of the ways we can train how to play under pressure is to remove the unknown
What do I mean by unknown?
- In this context it is being prepared for possible events that may be outside your awareness
The purpose behind this strategy is?
- Having counter strategies for these unknowns allows us to react effectively with speed
I love unknown surprises; yet on the field of play a new event in front of you can slow you down. Even if it is for a moment.
I’m a bit of a preparation freak and I like the certainty it provides me with.
A process I use is called: 'Making the Unknown - Known'
On Thursday before an International match I deliver this process in a team meeting or as part of a mock halt- time break in a training session.
The structure can be as a group or in small groups depending on time available.
I’m looking to bring a mindful awareness to the group of what may happen on the day, and how we can respond to such events.
Event + Response = Result
Knowing the possible event ahead of time, will help us to respond in a way that gets us the result we want.
Finding solutions empowers the players with the gift of ownership.
It brings quite a few laughs too, as you always have some joker come out with something unique (I hope they do).
Couple of questions to kick this off:
If you could imagine that we were invisible. Able to be in the opposition team meeting, what would the coaches and players be discussing about us? Would they even be discussing us?
What would they say about how we will attack? From set piece? Phase play? From transitions in play?
What parts of our game do the opposition see that they could expose us in attack?
What parts of our game do the opposition see that they could expose us in defence?
How would the opposition put pressure on us? where and when?
Who can think of anything logistically that could get in our way, or slow us down?
We would go through each answer and discuss what our counter strategy be?
Feel free to go into more detail as you see fit.
This is a great exercise where one group come up with the problem and the other find the solution. I like how the groups compete against each other.
This exercise paints a picture in the theatre of the mind.
So when we experience events on our field of play, we have already experienced it in our minds.
Giving us the competitive intelligence to respond effectively and with speed.
Yet, the greatest advantage is who we are becoming.
We forge greater awareness, curiosity, creativity, persistence, courage, and excellence etc.
These values can not be taken away and will serve us in any arena of life.
Learning that no matter what event is in front of us; we can adapt and conquer.
We are becoming better people.
After all, rugby can be an environment for forging better people.
The arena’s of our lives may be different; yet, we all are doing our best to show up in a way that is useful for ourselves and team human.
My intention is that this will be useful for you.
As always, if you want to support in how you want to show up, then jump on a complimentary coaching session here.
Your biggest fan
Coach Damian