Ryan Crotty
Ryan is a rugby play who plays for the Crusaders and the All Blacks. He is two time World Cup winner.
Questions:
1) Do you get nervous before games? If so is there a way that you deal with it?
Answer: Often before games ill find that I am nervous, but I know that nerves mean I’m ready to play so its a positive if I’m feeling them! That then makes me excited to play!
2) Do you feel pressure? If so what kind of pressure and how do you deal with it.
Answer: Sometimes you can feel pressure in certain situations however pressure is an illusion. Often you will feel pressure because you are worrying about things you cannot control! Once you focus your attention on a task that you can control the pressure subsides! (eg if I’m focused on an action i can control or do, I’m not thinking about being under pressure) “control the controllable”
3) Do you have any mental related tips for players?
Answer: One tool I use all the time is ‘belly breathing’. Breathing in and out through my nose while feeling my stomach expand in and out. This brings my attention to my breath when I notice its diverted to somewhere it shouldn’t be!