Adam Nicholls - Focused for Rugby

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Nicholls, Adam R.

Focused for rugby / Adam Nicholls, Jon Callard.

p. cm.

ISBN 978-1-4504-0212-5 (soft cover) -- ISBN 1-4504-0212-7 (soft cover) 1. Rugby football--Psychological aspects. 2. Rugby football--Training. I. Callard, Jon, 1966- II. Title.

GV945.85.P75N54 2012

796.3338--dc23

2011047312

ISBN-10: 1-4504-0212-7 (print)
ISBN-13: 978-1-4504-0212-5 (print)

Copyright 2012 by Adam R. Nicholls and Jon Callard

All rights reserved. Except for use in a review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying, and recording, and in any information storage and retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher.

Notice: Permission to reproduce the following material is granted to instructors and agencies who have purchased Focused for Rugby: 8, 10, 16, 18, 21, 31, 33, 35, 47, 49, 61, 62, 63, 65, 67, 82, 88, 92, 95, 100, 103, 106, 111, 113, 125, 128, 129, 132, 142, 143, 145, 147, 171, 174, 190. The reproduction of other parts of this book is expressly forbidden by the above copyright notice. Persons or agencies who have not purchased Focused for Rugby may not reproduce any material.

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E5302

To my parents, George and Christine, thank you
for all the support you have given me over the years.
Adam

To my three lovely daughters, Georgia, Francesca, and Alexa,
who put up with me, and to my wife, Gail, without whose support
I would not be allowed to pursue my dreams in the sport of rugby.
Jon

Contents

I am delighted to have been asked to contribute the foreword for Focused for Rugby. I have known Jon Callard for more than 20 years, both as a player I coached and as a coach I worked alongside. One of Jons great strengths was his goal-kicking ability, a skill in which players stand alone in the big arena with all the attendant pressures that it can bring. Performing this technique successfully at all levels requires real mental clarity.

Focused for Rugby is an interactive book for both players and coaches, whatever their age and experience. This book also sets out all the information simply and explains why the mental side of the game is so important. I have to put my hand on my heart and say that I am not a massive fan of the term sport psychology, but I am a fervent believer in the importance of developing the mental skills that enable players to focus solely on the task at hand whilst actions and thoughts fight to interfere with successful execution of the job. Rugby has changed dramatically over the last 20 years, but I suspect that for the majority of coaches and players, the mental side of the gamethe glue that holds together the technical, physical, and tactical sides of the game under the most hostile pressureis the least understood and practised, which is why Focused for Rugby is very much needed!

Many coaches and players equate mental toughness with physical toughness. Nothing could be further from the truth. We have all witnessed the macho player doing the most ridiculously off-task things in the heat of battle, to the detriment of his companions and the outcome of a game. The mental side of the game demands as much regular practice as all the other elements of high-level performance. It requires much more than just dabbling now and again. The skill involves honing a mindset of great clarity under intense scrutiny to enable consistent success and not in a haphazard fashion. This skill is emphasised in Focused for Rugby as you are encouraged to practice psychological skills and monitor your own progress.

In my mind, I am perfectly clear about one thing. A coach and a group of players who use the techniques that you will read about in Focused for Rugby will be on the road to success in the sport.

Enjoy reading Focused for Rugby, and enjoy the success! Good luck.

Brian Ashton, MBE

The purpose of this introduction is to explain what sport psychology is, discuss the myths surrounding it, the potential benefits of sport psychology in rugby, and how to use this book effectively.

Psychology is concerned with the mind and the reasons why people think and act the way that they do. Sport psychology is concerned with the way that athletes think and behave whilst playing sport. The two primary goals of sport psychology are to (a) ensure the well-being of athletes whilst playing sport and (b) enhance their performance.

Many athletes, coaches, and sport commentators seem to misunderstand sport psychology, which often gives this discipline a negative reputation. This stigma is partly fueled by unqualified individuals who practise as sport psychologists and give the players whom they work with false expectations. Seeing a sport psychologist is not like having a magic wand waved in front of you. Sport psychologists dont have any special powers! Reading this book will not transform you or your performance within seconds. This book offers techniques that, when practiced, will enable you to fulfil your potential during training and matches, in addition to enhancing your emotional well-being.