NSW coach Brad Fittler introduces left-field methods to calm Blues
THEY might sound out there but the players are buying in to NSW coach Brad Fittler’s offbeat ways to help settle his excited bunch of 11 Origin debutants.
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EARTHING, yoga and mindful breathing.
No, it’s not the itinerary of a weekend spa treatment.
These are the left-field methods NSW coach Brad Fittler has employed to help calm and settle his excited bunch of 11 Origin debutants.
Fittler has his players undertaking mindful breathing sessions each day to find peace among the cluttered and high-pressure build-up to State of Origin I in Melbourne on Wednesday night.
It might sound out there but the players are buying in. Some are actually falling asleep during a sitting.
“It’s about conscious breathing — it’s about clearing your head,” Fittler said.
“Everyone’s heads are pretty busy these days.
“I’m surprised a lot of people don’t do it.
“It’s also about conserving a bit of energy. The players can take a bit of time out and reduce the stress.”
Asked if his players benefited from the breathing exercises, Fittler said: “I don’t know, you’d have to ask them.”
So we did.
Blues winger Josh Addo-Carr is a believer.
“It’s about resetting and thinking about your job and thinking about your teammates,” Addo-Carr said.
“It’s good to reset your mind before and after training. It might go for five, 10 minutes. It depends. Some boys fall asleep.”
Fittler is known for his unusual approach to life. He has asked Blues players to walk around with bare feet so the earth’s minerals can naturally be absorbed into their bodies.
He has also been using yoga to stretch their weary bodies.
“We’ve been doing some different things like yoga and mindful breathing,” Blues and Manly forward Jake Trbojevic said.
“It’s actually quire relaxing. It’s been really enjoyable, it’s been a bit different.
“We’ve done a few different sorts of things. Me and my brother (Tom) aren’t very flexible so we struggle (at yoga). But we give it a go, give it our best.
“Different blokes, different coaching staff.
“Eleven debutants, everyone is really excited.”
While it may raise eyebrows, Fittler makes no apology for asking his players to walk around with bare feet at times during camp.
“There is a lot of earthing. We love earth,” he said.
“We just walk around in bare feet most days. We have run out of time a couple of times. It feels good.
“You read about it — people can do what they want with it. Try it, mate.”
Asked was he “out there’’, Fittler said: “I don’t know.”
And after arriving in Melbourne on Sunday, the Blues’ fun approach continued as the players enjoyed rides during a promotional visit to Luna Park in St Kilda.
Fittler’s baby Blues looked the part as Tyrone Peachey tackled the rollercoaster and Jake Trbojevic, Latrell Mitchell and David Klemmer looked like big kids enjoying a ride on the pirate ship.