by A high -level male rugby rugby coach says that mental preparation is as important as being in a physically peak form.
England Rugby Union coach Richard Wigglesworth explained how his methods are an integral part of his team preparation on the world stage.
And he thinks that being very physically very strong is only half of the battle.
The victorious coach of the European Champion Cup three times said: “Mental preparation is as important as physical preparation.
“We take a lot of time and consideration in the way we help players to be in the best mental state possible before going out and playing for England.”
His comments come after research on 2,000 adults playing sport, commanded by Honda, revealed that mental visualization techniques are more and more popular, much recognizing their advantages to improve performance and well-being.
And 87% believe that mental preparation is important and helps them perform well in sport.
For England players, mental strategies are carefully adapted to strengthen trust and positivity.
Wigglesworth said, “I want players to get out and show the best of themselves.
“Negative thoughts are natural, but as a coach program, granting us a great value to the equipment of players in mental strategies to be positive on their next action.”
More than half (51%) of athletes incorporate sound, as hearing the crowd, in their visualization practices, while 45% use touch, as feeling the ball, to improve mental imagery.
The study also revealed that 62% use mental visualization to improve the development, while 55% use it to increase confidence.
Almost half (47%) find it useful to stay calm in high pressure situations, and 42% use it to overcome performance anxiety.
This survey, commanded by Honda to raise awareness of its sponsorship of the RFU before the six nations of Guinness men, highlights the way in which British athletes use these techniques to improve their game.
Rebecca Adamson, automobile manager at Honda Motor Europe (United Kingdom), said: “We believe that the power of dreams extends beyond the physical capacity to the strength of the mind.
“This research highlights the growing recognition of mental preparation as a vital part of performance, not only in sports but in all areas of life.
“By supporting initiatives like these, we are proud to defend the importance of concentration, confidence and positivity – the qualities that encourage individuals to push their limits and achieve their goals on and off the field . “
The study also revealed that 51% “always” or “often use this mental visualization to improve their sports or fitness performance
More than half (52%) use breathing exercises to help their performance, and the same quantity was based on a positive discourse.
In addition, 45% use objectives and 40% opt for meditation or mindfulness.
It also appeared that 58% believe that visualization and mental preparation should regularly be part of training for sports players.
But 45% face time constraints when preparing sports or fitness activities, and 36% have appointed physical limitations or injuries as a barrier.
While 34% find it difficult to remain motivated and 27% lack knowledge on techniques.
Richard Wigglesworth also stressed the importance of practicing visualization, comparing it to any other skill.
He said: “Visualizing your first most likely actions in a game helps you feel as if you were going to start the game well.
“In addition, think of the most likely skills that you will have to perform several times, such as a launch and a visualization of the target, can be very beneficial.”
Richard Wigglesworth’s best tips for effective mental preparation:
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Practice regularly: like any skill, visualization is improving with repetition. Start by experimenting and find what suits you best.
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Visualize your first actions: prepare mentally at the first moments of the game to give a confident tone.
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Focus on repeated skills: strengthen confidence by viewing the key skills you perform several times, such as line lines or plated.
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Use specific scenarios: work with your coach to identify the challenges and view the positive impact of the game.
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Repeat the situations: Walk in the field and mentally prepare for potential scenarios to strengthen confidence during the game.
