Rugby legend Richard Wigglesworth reveals key to mental preparation

Yahoo

19-02-2025

A top men's Rugby Union coach says mental preparation is as important as being in peak shape physically.
England Men's Rugby Union coach Richard Wigglesworth has shared how his methods are an integral part of preparing his team for success on the world stage.
And he believes being super-strong physically is only half of the battle.
The three-time European Champion Cup winning coach said: 'Being mentally prepared is as important as being physically prepared.
'We take a lot of time and consideration in how we help the players to be in the best possible mental state before they go out and perform for England.'
His comments come after research of 2,000 sports-playing adults, commissioned by Honda, revealed mental visualisation techniques are increasingly popular, with many recognising their benefits for improving performance and wellbeing.
And 87 per cent believe mental preparation is important and helps them perform well in sports.
For England's players, mental strategies are carefully tailored to build confidence and positivity.
Wigglesworth said: 'I want players to be able to go out and show the very best of themselves.
'Negative thoughts are natural, but as a coaching programme, we place huge value on equipping players with the mental strategies to be positive about their next action.'
More than half (51 per cent) of athletes incorporate sound, such as hearing the crowd, into their visualisation practices, while 45 per cent use touch, like feeling the ball, to enhance mental imagery.
The study also revealed 62 per cent use mental visualisation to improve focus, while 55 per cent use it to increase confidence.
Nearly half (47 per cent) find it helpful for staying calm in high-pressure situations, and 42 per cent use it to overcome performance anxiety.
This survey, commissioned by Honda to raise awareness of its sponsorship of the RFU ahead of the Guinness Men's Six Nations, sheds light on how Britain's athletes are using these techniques to enhance their game.
Rebecca Adamson, head of automobile at Honda Motor Europe (UK), said "We believe that the power of dreams extends beyond physical capability to the strength of the mind.
"This research highlights the growing recognition of mental preparation as a vital part of performance, not just in sports but in all areas of life.
"By supporting initiatives like these, we're proud to champion the importance of focus, confidence, and positivity —qualities that inspire individuals to push their limits and achieve their goals both on and off the pitch."
The study also found 51 per cent 'always' or 'often use this mental visualisation to better their sports or fitness performance
More than half (52 per cent) use breathing exercises to help their performance, and the same amount rely on positive self-talk.
Additionally, 45 per cent use goal-setting, and 40 per cent opt for meditation or mindfulness.
It also emerged 58 per cent believe visualisation and mental preparation should be a regular part of training for sports players.
But 45 per cent face time constraints when preparing for sports or fitness activities, and 36 per cent named physical limitations or injuries as a barrier.
While 34 per cent have difficulty staying motivated, and 27 per cent lack knowledge about techniques.
Richard Wigglesworth also emphasised the importance of practising visualisation, comparing it to any other skill.
He said: 'Visualising your most likely first actions in a game helps you feel like you are going to start the game well.
'Additionally, thinking about the most likely skills you will have to perform repeatedly, like a hooker throwing and visualising hitting the target, can be very beneficial.'
Practice regularly: Like any skill, visualisation improves with repetition. Start by experimenting and find what works best for you.
Visualise your first actions: Prepare mentally for the initial moments of the game to set a confident tone.
Focus on repeated skills: Reinforce confidence by visualising key skills you'll perform multiple times, such as lineouts or tackles.
Use specific scenarios: Work with your coach to identify challenges and visualise how you'll positively impact the game.
Rehearse situations: Walk the pitch and mentally prepare for potential scenarios to boost confidence during the game.