The Big GameThe Big Game

What is it?What is it?The next step up.The next step up.Our first AC matchOur first AC matchOur 1st FinalOur 1st FinalOur first match outside Our first match outside ABAB

Why do we prepare for Why do we prepare for the big game?the big game?

We want to do our best.We want to do our best. We want to be as good as or We want to be as good as or

better than the players on the better than the players on the day.day.

We want to be able to keep up.We want to be able to keep up. We want to get it right all the We want to get it right all the

time.time. We want to achieve a We want to achieve a

milestone.milestone.

BUT ABOVE ALL

We fear failure!!!We fear failure!!!

What does fear of failure What does fear of failure do to us?do to us?

Self doubt.Self doubt. We question the sanity of the We question the sanity of the

coaching board in appointing us.coaching board in appointing us. We worry about how we will We worry about how we will

appear to our peers.appear to our peers.

In short,In short,

We suffer anxiety.We suffer anxiety.

The key to Big Game The key to Big Game preparation is:preparation is:

How we manage How we manage our anxiety.our anxiety.

Preparation for the big Preparation for the big game is about:game is about:

Reducing our stress Reducing our stress levels and keeping levels and keeping them low.them low.

Self belief.Self belief.

What do we have to What do we have to believe to reduce those believe to reduce those

stress levelsstress levels We are the right man for the job.We are the right man for the job. We are fit enough.We are fit enough. We are good enough.We are good enough. We know our law.We know our law. We are prepared.We are prepared.

Some strategies to Some strategies to reinforce self beliefreinforce self belief

Maintain training regime with Maintain training regime with perhaps a slight increase - don’t perhaps a slight increase - don’t go overboard.go overboard.

Spend some quiet time focusing Spend some quiet time focusing on the match - but not too much, on the match - but not too much, do not become obsessed.do not become obsessed.

Think through bad situations you Think through bad situations you have encountered in the past and have encountered in the past and “wargame” solutions.“wargame” solutions.

Some strategies to Some strategies to reinforce self beliefreinforce self belief

Remind yourself if you have to, Remind yourself if you have to, that the board have decided you that the board have decided you are good enough to do the job.are good enough to do the job.

Some strategies to keep Some strategies to keep the pressure down on the pressure down on

day.day. Get a good nights sleep the night Get a good nights sleep the night

before without the help of alcohol.before without the help of alcohol. On game day, be scrupulous with On game day, be scrupulous with

your food and hydration your food and hydration requirements.requirements.

Build plenty of time into everything Build plenty of time into everything you do, never rush any preparation.you do, never rush any preparation.

Avoid what gets you up (loud rock Avoid what gets you up (loud rock music, coffee, arguments with music, coffee, arguments with spouse).spouse).

Some strategies to keep Some strategies to keep the pressure down on the pressure down on

day.day. Do everything pre game slowly - Do everything pre game slowly -

take some time to do up your laces.take some time to do up your laces. Have a good stretch and warm up.Have a good stretch and warm up. Get the toss out of the way early so Get the toss out of the way early so

that the teams are not interrupted that the teams are not interrupted in their preparation.in their preparation.

Keep the pre match talk short and Keep the pre match talk short and wish them well.wish them well.

Some strategies to keep Some strategies to keep the pressure down on the pressure down on

day.day. Get the teams out onto the field Get the teams out onto the field

on time.on time. Take your time getting onto the Take your time getting onto the

field (don’t break your leg field (don’t break your leg running out of the clubhouse).running out of the clubhouse).

Try to enjoy the moment.Try to enjoy the moment.

Post Match Post Match ConsiderationsConsiderations

Enjoy the moment.Enjoy the moment. Like all games, go through your Like all games, go through your

own self evaluation routine.own self evaluation routine. Do not be surprised if the game Do not be surprised if the game

takes more out of you than takes more out of you than normal.normal.

Re-hydrate and warm down, in Re-hydrate and warm down, in that order.that order.