‘DO WHAT HAS TO BE DONE, WHEN IT HAS TO BE DONE, AS BEST IT CAN BE DONE, DO IT THAT WAY EVERYTIME.’
VINCE LOMBARDI
Some coaches see it as a result of the work done pre-season and during the season. They talk of the pressure constantly being put on players in training and games and the players being able to handle that pressure. In the game situation they equate it to experience, patience, not panicking in tight situations.
Others see it as preparation and consistency. They talk of players being out on the field each week and performing consistently in a tough arena. They talk about players playing when hurt and blocking that pain from their head and not using excuses.
The ‘it’ in question is Mental Toughness.
Mental toughness is many things, its discipline, it’s working hard when you are not feeling well, it’s persevering in the face of adversity, it’s preparing the best you can every week, every day, every hour, every second. It’s about doing the little things right on and off the field every time.
For example a simple thing of keeping a diary up to date helps you become disciplined and it’s these disciplines within the rugby player that makes up the toughness aspect as well.
You’re challenging yourself to go through a routine every day and if you can’t do the small things like fill out a diary, set goals or correct errors then there is no way you come through those tough game situations.
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