Warwickshire cricketer and part time BBC cricket commentator Dougie Brown's insights into the minds of top players can often be very perceptive. During a recent commentary he came up with a gem.

“The player's minds will be ice; their bodies will be on fire.”

It was almost word for word the same as the pitchside report from England during the Rugby World Cup Final, an approach personified by the physical excellence and metronomic boot of Jonny Wilkinson.

Yes, it's a soundbite, but I loved the way it succinctly sums up the difference between mental and physical preparation for sport at any level.

Mind of Ice

Often we think sport is about passion and pride. From a mental point of view it's better to be cold, calculating and clinical. Of teams of equal skill, the teams and players who have a plan and the calmness to execute will always defeat the side who has the red mist down in my mind.

Body on Fire

I feel this is about more that being properly warmed up. It's about staying on your toes throughout the game. It's stuff like being ready to bowl at the drop of a hat by keeping yourself warm. It's being ready to explode into action at any moment to dive, throw, sprint or strike the ball.

For me it's also about making sure you are as strong, mobile and fast as you can be through a regular training routine, even in the off season.

These simple elements of planning and preparation can be emulated by anyone, including you and your team. Just keep the simple maxim in mind and keep reading harrowdrive.com.