The Big Game What is it? The next step up. The next step up. Our first AC match Our first AC match Our 1st Final Our 1st Final Our first match outside AB Our first match outside AB

Why do we prepare for the big game? We want to do our best. We want to do our best. We want to be as good as or better than the players on the day. We want to be as good as or better than the players on the 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 time. We want to get it right all the time. We want to achieve a milestone. We want to achieve a milestone.

BUT ABOVE ALL We fear failure!!! We fear failure!!!

What does fear of failure do to us? Self doubt. Self doubt. We question the sanity of the coaching board in appointing us. We question the sanity of the coaching board in appointing us. We worry about how we will appear to our peers. We worry about how we will appear to our peers. In short, We suffer anxiety. We suffer anxiety.

The key to Big Game preparation is: How we manage our anxiety. How we manage our anxiety.

Preparation for the big game is about: Reducing our stress levels and keeping them low. Reducing our stress levels and keeping them low. Self belief. Self belief.

What do we have to believe to reduce those stress 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 reinforce self belief Maintain training regime with perhaps a slight increase - don’t go overboard. Maintain training regime with perhaps a slight increase - don’t go overboard. Spend some quiet time focusing on the match - but not too much, do not become obsessed. Spend some quiet time focusing on the match - but not too much, do not become obsessed. Think through bad situations you have encountered in the past and “wargame” solutions. Think through bad situations you have encountered in the past and “wargame” solutions.

Some strategies to reinforce self belief Remind yourself if you have to, that the board have decided you are good enough to do the job. Remind yourself if you have to, that the board have decided you are good enough to do the job.

Some strategies to keep the pressure down on day. Get a good nights sleep the night before without the help of alcohol. Get a good nights sleep the night before without the help of alcohol. On game day, be scrupulous with your food and hydration requirements. On game day, be scrupulous with your food and hydration requirements. Build plenty of time into everything you do, never rush any preparation. Build plenty of time into everything you do, never rush any preparation. Avoid what gets you up (loud rock music, coffee, arguments with spouse). Avoid what gets you up (loud rock music, coffee, arguments with spouse).

Some strategies to keep the pressure down on day. Do everything pre game slowly - take some time to do up your laces. Do everything pre game slowly - 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 that the teams are not interrupted in their preparation. Get the toss out of the way early so that the teams are not interrupted in their preparation. Keep the pre match talk short and wish them well. Keep the pre match talk short and wish them well.

Some strategies to keep the pressure down on day. Get the teams out onto the field on time. Get the teams out onto the field on time. Take your time getting onto the field (don’t break your leg running out of the clubhouse). Take your time getting onto the field (don’t break your leg running out of the clubhouse). Try to enjoy the moment. Try to enjoy the moment.

Post Match Considerations Enjoy the moment. Enjoy the moment. Like all games, go through your own self evaluation routine. Like all games, go through your own self evaluation routine. Do not be surprised if the game takes more out of you than normal. Do not be surprised if the game takes more out of you than normal. Re-hydrate and warm down, in that order. Re-hydrate and warm down, in that order.