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By Wayne Goldsmith, Exclusively for RLCM - Wayne will be presenting at the The Ultimate Rugby League Coaching Luncheon [see below] - Here it is - the 2008 NRL grand final. The showcase of professional rugby league in Australia. Read the papers and all the talk is about who is ready physically, who is injured, who is fit, who isn't......all the focus is on Grand Final Bodies.
But Grand Finals are won between the ears, above the neck and between the eyes: Grand Final Heads.
At this time of the year it is safe to say both teams are as game fit as they will ever be and are physically tough, hard and ready for the brutality of Grand Final collisions, contacts and crunches.
What about the mental side of the Grand Final?
It comes down to G.R.A.N.D.:
G - Guts. There are no easy metres in a Grand Final. No soft defence. No light contacts. It's tough, hard, brutal, uncompromising. It takes real guts, real commitment, real courage.
R - Resilience. Grand Finals are not won in the first tackle. Or on the first points scored. They are won by the most resilient, determined team who keeps going for the full 80 minutes with pride, perseverance, passion and power.
A - Attitude. Grand Final winners think like, act like, behave like, prepare like, stand like, walk like, talk like - winners. They carry a quiet confidence that their preparation will provide them with a winning performance. They demonstrate a winning attitude in all they do - from the first training session of Grand Final week to the final whistle of the game itself.
N - No compromises. The Grand Final winners are inevitably those who have compromised the least when it really mattered. They demonstrated a total commitment to training and preparation throughout the season and a passion for consistent professionalism on and off the field.
D - Decision making: Grand Final winners make the right decisions - at critical times in the game - when the body is tired and fatigued and when under incredible pressure.
The key message from this for coaches is that when you are designing your training programs for next season include mental skills training from week one of your off season training.
You wouldn't start a strength training program in week 22 of season 2009.
You wouldn't start a new skills training program in the first week of semi finals.
Yet for some reason, the only time we talk about the mental side of Rugby League is Grand Final time. Doesn't make a lot of sense.
Incorporate mental skills training and "head lessons" at every training session. When your players have Grand Final Heads to drive, motivate and control their Grand Final Bodies - you will achieve Grand Final Success!
So, enjoy the 2008 Grand Final.
If you are a player, coach, sports scientist, strength and conditioning coach or team manager, challenge yourself to learn as much as you can from the Game - and not just the physical stuff, the set piece plays, the restarts, the back line moves etc - try to learn as much as possible from the mental side of the Game and who knows - this time next year you might be preparing to be involved in Grand Final 2009.
Playing in the Grand Final Game in 2009 or Watching it on the tele in your lounge room............. it's your choice.
The Ultimate Rugby League Coaching Luncheon - Friday October 17th 2008 - Burleigh Bears Leagues Club on the Gold Coast - 11.30am for a 12.00 noon start - $40.00 per head includes luncheon and refreshments. Speakers Tony Smith, Wayne Goldsmith and Rod Patison.
FEATURING:
The Elite Coach
England 2008 RLWC Coach - Tony Smith
"Britain has some of the best young players in the world and my job will be to develop this crop of players into the best team in the world" Tony Smith
The Sports Coach
Wayne Goldsmith
“Wayne is a professional performance consultant who stimulates growth in any sporting organisation he is involved in. He is inventive, questioning and extremely enthusiastic. He will add to your programme.” Eddie Jones ex Coach - Australian Wallabies
The School Coach
Rod Patison
Rod is a school teacher and rugby league coach at Palm Beach Currumbin High School[PBC]. The school is recognised as one of Australia's leading schools in producing young players for the NRL competion.
Book early only 100 seats available for rugby league coaching enthusiasts. Contact Kim 07/5572 4055 email
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at Burleigh Leagues Club to confirm your seat today.
In association with 'The Men of League' - Burleigh Leagues Club - RLCM |
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