Hi Paul.

We share a passion for rugby (union I hope!) which makes a rare breed on this forum.

I am very interested in strength and conditioning for invasion games, especially rugby.

Any ideas of training would also be great to swap.

I have not coached rugby for a few years now, but helped train a few of the mini and junior teams but would love to get back into it but time does not permit.

All the best,

Alex

Hi Alex,

This far south it can only be Rugby Union :lol:

I have used some basic circuits with my guys during the summer 12 stations each one a different exercise in a circle, players work in pairs one does the exercise while the other jogs the circuit then they swap, each set lasts approx 90 seconds which normally allows two jog circuits/two turns at the exercise. The 12 stations are BRPE, Squat thrusts, press ups, wide press ups, sit ups, V sit ups, skipping, shuttle sprints, power cleans, military press, bicep curls and step ups onto a 30cm step. The order to mixed so that consecutive stations work different body parts or muscle groups.

For our usual evening training sessions I try to stick to rugby skill specific drills.

However, at the players request we have started a second training evening session focused more on fitness. One of my coaching assistants plays tennis and does Karate he has put together a 45 min program which includes some Fartlek interval type running, combined with some upper body strengthening work - press ups with a 10kg weight placed between the shoulder blades or press ups with elevated feet. We also us wheel barrow races and piggy back races as a bit of fun both also as an aid to general CV fitness and conditioning. We also use a wrestling type exercise 'sumo' style where the winner has to push their opponent out of a 2m circle, and a 30 second interval on focus mitts.

Several have started asking me about training with weights, I have been generally vague at this stage due to lack of knowledge on my part. (NB we only used very light weights in the summer circuits described above and the boys were instructed on the correct techniques)

So we already do quite a bit, but if I am about to keep 30 15 &16 year old boys interested then I guess I must be doing something right!!

Cheers

Paul

Hi Alex and Paul,

I am a part-time strength and conditioning coach and SAQ trainer focusing on Rugby Union. If you are after some ideas in designing weight programs or conditioning sessions please email me at sunshinefitness@smartchat.net.au and I can forward you both some ideas or programs.

Some excellent websites are www.fitness4rugby.com and www.scrum.com. Both UK sites.

Yours in fitness,
Phil

Hi All,

2nd XV captain at Cumbernauld, and though the level is more closely related with social rugby, we do think of ourselves as competitive.

Getting to the age where I can see the potential in a number of younster and believe that if we can get our act together then we could achieve "something".

There are of course two issues:
- developing the talent, and
- getting everyone believing that they are capable of achieving something.

Anyhow, glad to see there are other rugby minded people on board, and here's to my, yours and our players development as better athletes and rugby players.

p

Hi Paul

Im an assistant backs coach for a local rugby who are very successful and are looking for promotion to the Welsh Premier division next season. However as a club we have to forward a proposal to the Welsh Rugby Union clarifying our status and whether we as aclub and individuals pass the required criteria, even though our position as its stands as a rugby team means that playing wise we are good enough. I have been asked to put forward my proposal as the clubs fitness & conditioning coach , the sort of role that i employ . I was looking for some advise from yourself into how to put this down in writing without waffling and being precise.