How To Help Professional Rugby Players Perform Better Under Pressure #BITESIZE
Aaron Walsh, otherwise known as “Walshy” is an experienced Performance Coach. His main areas of focus are developing leadership, culture and mental performance programs for teams. Currently working with Chiefs in Super Rugby as well as consulting to Harlequins, Scottish Rugby, Texas Rangers and Basketball New Zealand. Aaron has worked in MLB, NRL and with various national teams. He is also currently coaching multiple corporate leadership teams in creating and maintaining a high performance working environments. He is sought after and highly regarded presenter that is comfortable in both sporting and corporate environments.
In episode #161 I chat with Author, Coach Educator and Performance Rugby Consultant, Paul Phillips. We discuss his experiences of developing high performance cultures in professional rugby. Paul also shares some research on tackling and how to overcome fears with helpful triggers as well as other fascinating insights.
Key Learning Points:
- In Rugby at the lower levels fear is very prominent.
- Establishing values and behaviours that are coupled with a vision for the team and club is an essential part of culture development.
- Why can’t we generate behaviours before thoughts and emotions?
- James Clear’s two-minute rule in the book Atomic Habits is a good way to start to develop habitual behaviours.
- The size of the opponent in rugby can be a big factor in activating fear.
- Visual, kinaesthetic and auditory cues and triggers are helpful in dealing with fear when tackling.
- Using metaphors such as images of animals or superhero’s is a helpful trigger for adults and children.
- The development of positive relationships between players and coaches is a hallmark of high performing teams.
- Extrinsic environments are rife largely down to the way messages are communicated from senior staff and coaches in clubs and organisations.
- Too much focus on external factors results in lower emotional control.
Connect with Paul Phillips
Book: How to Create Culture: In Rugby Union
Connect with David Charlton
Join David @ The Sports Psychology Hub
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To Listen to Rugby Orientated Podcast Episodes
Ep039: John Fletcher – How to Develop Fearless Athletes
Ep094: Professor Adam Nicholls – How to Develop Mentally Strong Rugby Players
Ep104: Seb De Chaves – The Psychological Demands of Elite Professional Rugby
EP147: Aaron Walsh – The Application of Mental Performance Coaching in Elite Professional Rugby
Ep153: Rugby Psychology Compilation – 25 Ways You Can Improve Your Performance
Helpful Rugby Orientated Resources
Blog – Overthinking on the Rugby Pitch
Blog – Are You A Rugby Player With Perfectionist Tendencies?
Case Study – Supporting a Rugby Player to Overcome Self-Doubt
Blog – Playing Rugby at Your Best Under Pressure
Blog – 5 Ways to Create a Psychological Safe Sporting Environment
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Best Wishes
David Charlton
Global Sports Psychologist who is located near Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK and willing to travel Internationally. David also uses online video conferencing software (Zoom, Facetime, WhatsApp) on a regular basis and has clients who he has supported in USA, Canada, South America, UAE, Australian and New Zealand.
Managing Director – Inspiring Sporting Excellence and Founder of The Sports Psychology Hub. With over 10 years experience supporting athletes, coaches, parents and teams to achieve their goals, quickly.
T: +44 7734 697769
