Committed players work on all aspects of their game - techniques, tactics, physical fitness and mental skills

Possessing the desire to achieve is a trait that characterises elite players, who understand what they are trying to develop and do so without constant supervision or persuasion. There are 3 phases in establishing absolute commitment:

• Determine your aims and ambitions
• Identify conflicting interests
• Convert aims into goals

If you are ambitious as a player or coach, you probably dream about what you want to achieve in rugby

Aims and Ambitions

Discussing aims and ambitions with friends and coaches, and writing them down is in itself a form of commitment. Consider all elements linked to your rugby playing or coaching performance and highlight strengths and areas in need of improvement.

Identify Conflict

To have realistic aims and ambitions you need to consider other issues in your life such as work, school, family and other sports and hobbies. Competing for time and energy is not ideal so manage your interests carefully and decide what is important in the short-term.

Goals

Transferring aims and ambitions into goals is a systematic method proven to facilitate commitment

Effective goal setting relies on the Smarter Principle:

• Specific
• Measureable
• Accepted
• Realistic
• Time phased
• Exciting
• Recorded

Goal setting has positive effects on all your performance elements and is reviewed in the Goal Setting section.