What will England do under pressure?
Welcome

As we enter June the World Cup fever is truly upon us.  
 
I have been lucky enough recently to work with an elite sport and business performance company.  It was whilst working with these top sports psychologists that I was reminded of another England sports team that went on to achieve great success.
 
Read on to learn more about how this sports team won their World Cup using T-CUPs and how their approach might help the England football and you.
 
Warm Regards

Nicky
 
Elite performance pressure
 
As the England football team prepare for the World Cup tournament and fight for their right to wear a star above their crest in 2010, the pressure must be on.  Wearing a small star above the crest on your international shirt is a privilege held by an elite few. 

The world's eyes will be glued to the TV over the coming weeks and (the majority of) our nation's hopes will be resting on Fabio Capello and his 23-man squad.    As previous World Cup events have proved, these men will either come home heroes or villains -depending on their performance. 
 
Thinking about the pressure that must be resting on these men's shoulders reminded me of the England Rugby team's approach to the 2003 World Cup.  Clive Woodward, coach for the England Rugby team leading up to and during their World Cup success had a very clear opinion on this.
 
"We all have roughly the same standard of players, the same equipment and the same physical training techniques.  So what makes the difference between the winning team and the team that comes fifth?  I believe that the team that actually wins the World Cup will be the team that has the best mindset.  The difference between good teams and world champion teams is what goes on between their ears."
Anyone for tea?
Clive Woodward realised that the most important element of his team's success was their inner game - not their game on the field.  Assuming the team had the same level of preparation, fitness and skill as their competitors, it was mindset that was going to give them the competitive edge.  In his autobiography 'Winning' he states:
 
"There is no greater critical component of success in sport, in either a team or an individual context, than the ability to perform and THINK correctly under pressure."
 
Therefore a major part of the England Rugby team's World Cup preparations was given to something Clive Woodward referred to as TCUP:Luminate new logo 
    • Thinking
    • Correctly
    • Under
    • Pressure
 
When humans are put under pressure they can either develop peak performance (TCUP) or faulty thinking.
 
By developing high performing behaviours the team was able to gain a psychological advantage over their competitors which ultimately won them the World Cup.
Faulty Thinking
When we don't think correctly under pressure (TCUP) our thinking can become self-defeating or faulty.  Types of faulty thinking are: 
  • Discounting the positives - "Just because I scored a goal in the Premiership doesn't mean I can do it in the World Cup"
  • Dichotomised thinking - "We're either the best in the world or the worst, there's nothing in between"
  • Labelling - "I missed a penalty therefore I am a terrible footballer!"
  • Mind reading - "Fabio hasn't told me I'm doing a good job, that means he thinks Luminate new logoI'm not a good player"
  • Catastrophising - "This game hasn't gone well, we are going to lose the whole tournament now!"
  • Personalisation - "If we lose this game it is all my fault!"
  • Blame - "It's the referees fault for not awarding that free kick!"
  • Generalisation - "All Brazilian players are brilliant and we don't stand a chance!"
As faulty thinking can cause us to crack under pressure, it could make the difference between World Cup success or broken World Cup dreams.  Let's hope that the England football team have worked as much on their mental game as their physical game.   
  
If you would like help in Thinking Correctly Under Pressure please get in contact:
T:  +44 (0)1902 895310