Table 3.
Perceptions about the use of psychological skills and mental strategies by elite rugby sevens players.
| Psychological skills | Goal-directed behavior | Goal-setting | Clearly defined big picture |
| Goal achievement | Strive for excellence | ||
| Compartmentalization (When and how to switch on/off) | Focused attention (switch on) | Focus/refocus | |
| Routines | |||
| Failure to switch off | Leads to overthinking | ||
| Emotionally draining | |||
| High burnout risk | |||
| Deal with anxiety | Anxiety reduction | Lower anxiety levels | |
| Anxiety management | Interpret anxiety positively | ||
| Motivation | Utilize various resources | Internal: drive, passion | |
| External: social support | |||
| Imagery | Simulate matches | ||
| Visualize scenarios | |||
| Repetition/ rehearsal | |||
| Self-confidence | Meticulous preparation | Marginal gains (1%’s) | |
| Positive self-talk | Affirmation | ||
| Previous performances | |||
| Mental strategies | Coping | Emotional, relational, personal problems | Approach behavior |
| Address personal issues | |||
| Refereeing decisions, outside interference, setbacks, non-selection | Problem-focused coping | ||
| Emotion-focused coping | |||
| “Back-to-zero” | Restart after every play, break, match, day, result | ||
| Creativity | Big-box, small-box | Think outside the small box, still within the big box | |
| Cognitive triggers |