Rugby Sport Psychologist
Helping rugby players stay composed under physical pressure, think clearly when the legs are tired and bounce back fast from errors.
Experience in rugby
Working with players in and around the professional academy system.
- Worked with academy players who train with and represent Saracens and Exeter Chiefs
- Supported a player who represents Spain in international sevens
- Works with rugby players on composure, clear thinking and confidence
- Brings experience from combat and contact sports where a calm head under pressure is everything
The mental game in rugby
Composure under contact
A physical, chaotic game rewards a calm head. We work on staying in control when everything around you is not.
Thinking when tired
The right call in the last ten minutes, when the legs and the mind are spent. We train the focus that holds when you are exhausted.
Bouncing back from errors
A dropped ball, a missed tackle, a penalty given away. We build the quick reset that stops one mistake becoming three.
The big fixture
Derbies, finals, selection games. We prepare the mental side so the occasion lifts you instead of tightening you.
Leading when it matters
Rugby runs on leaders, and not only the captain. We build the composure, presence and standards that let you steer those around you when the game is on the line.
Communication under pressure
Calls at the lineout, organising a defence, talking a team through the hard minutes. We work on clear, confident communication that holds up when the pressure is highest.
How I work
My work is grounded in Acceptance Commitment Training and the Chimp Paradox, and it follows one principle: understanding before tools. We start by getting to the root of what is really going on, build a clear picture of why the mind reacts the way it does under pressure, then build skills that hold when it matters.
As an HCPC registered Sport and Exercise Psychologist my practice is regulated and held to a professional standard, and I am also DBS checked, which matters when the player in front of me is young. I work online with players wherever they are, and every new client starts with a free 30 minute call. No pressure and no obligation.
What rugby clients say
Real quotes carry more weight than anything I can say myself.
Over two sessions Antonio helped our rugby team come together, focus on the things that were important, and move away from looking for outcomes to focus on the process that leads to them. We have started using his tools in training and can see the difference.Rugby team coach
Antonio supported our rugby team ahead of an international tournament, delivering bespoke workshops designed around the needs and ways of working in the squad. Flexible, approachable and professional throughout. Would recommend.Rugby coach / international squad
Not your sport? I work with competitive athletes across more than thirty different sports, and you can read what clients across all of them say here.
Ready to work on your rugby?
Start with a free 30 minute call. A relaxed conversation about where you are and where you want to get to.
Book a free 30 minute call Prefer to ask first? Send a message