Coaching, Mentoring, Consultancy

Sports Principles

Know yourself – know the game.

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Seeing the big picture

Why Do We Play?

The games are part of life. 

For many, a significant part. A fundamental element of our day to day experience.

What is the purpose of sport?

Why are playing and coaching so important to so many of us?

To put the questions above into context, it might help to broaden the enquiry:

What is the purpose of life?

If you ask people what they desire most of all, the same answer comes back from person after person.

‘I want to be happy.’

Sometimes ‘to achieve’, to be the best’, ‘to win’ or ‘to be part of something,’ is the reply. But you only need to again ask ‘why?’ for the deeper meaning to be revealed.

The true desire is for the feeling those experiences will bring.

The goals in themselves are secondary!

Therefore, we can say with confidence; the purpose of life is to find happiness.

It’s self-evident.

What happens when we feel happy and content?

We stop seeking and striving for things we believe will make us happy.

We realise that our wants, desires and needs have disappeared.

We are at peace.

Knowing happiness is the end game. The completion of the mission. The ultimate goal.

And so, the purpose of sport, as part of life, is the same.

We play because we are happy, and we are happy when we are playing.

As coaches, if we accept this simple reasoning, our role is clear.

The purpose of coaching is to help a person, or group of people to find happiness in play.

This is the mission at Sports Principles.

For Coaches and Leaders

To be a great coach, you need to understand two things. You need to know the game, and you need to understand people.

For Players and Athletes

Understand the simple principles which lie behind your best, most enjoyable, most consistent performances

For Schools and Teachers

Learn more about the principles which lie behind well-being, enduring relationships, powerful insights and effortless learning

Learn more about

Sports Principles

“In my experience, teams and players play to their potential when they are enjoying the game.

When they feel free to express themselves, feel empowered, feel connected to their team mates, coaches, supporters and the game itself.

Players who are overly focused on outcomes and results feel anxious, insecure, are less resilient, and less consistent. 

For years I believed that my well-being was dependent on situations, circumstances and environment.

This misunderstanding takes us out of the present moment, which further suppresses performance and enjoyment.

Coaches and players who love what they do are committed and passionate without feeling like they are stressed or overworking.

They know that their well-being and value is not attached to or defined by results, titles, and the opinions of other people.

This essential fact is easily overlooked.

Doing so leads to feelings of lack, stress, and insecurity.

This understanding of how the mind really works allowed me to see through the conceptual barriers that were getting in the way and to realise my innate well-being and potential.

It has allowed me to see that we always have what it takes, even when times seem tough.”

Grayson Hart. Professional Rugby Player. Bedford Blues and Scotland

Wise words

“There is so much emphasis these days on tactics and strategy.

It’s easy to overlook that players and athletes are human beings first and foremost”

Russell Earnshaw – Rugby Coach and Founder of The Magic Academy