Rugby Psychology

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Session Notes The Leader
Addressing:

Selection Pressure

The relentless mental weight of squad competition, knowing that one poor performance could see you dropped. This creates a defensive mindset where players avoid risks that might showcase their abilities, playing "safe" rugby that paradoxically makes them less selectable.

The Leader and Selection Pressure in Rugby

Posted on December 9, 2025 ~ min read
📋
For: The Leader athletes in Rugby
Focus: Session Notes - Selection Pressure
Read Time: ~13 min
Session Notes December 9, 2025
Profile: The Leader
Sport: Rugby
Challenge: Selection Pressure

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In rugby, selection pressure is the persistent mental weight of knowing your spot in the squad depends on every training session and match performance. One missed tackle, one handling error, one moment of hesitation can see you watching from the stands next weekend. For The Leader iconThe Leader (IOTC) sport profile, this pressure creates a specific psychological trap: your tactical mind starts calculating risk rather than executing skill.

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Vladimir Novkov

M.A. Social Psychology | ISSA Elite Trainer | Expert in Sport Psychology for Athlete Development

My mission is to bridge the gap between mind and body, helping athletes and performers achieve a state of synergy where peak performance becomes a natural outcome of who they are.

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