This week taught me a few things about getting fit for rugby. Here they are in a nutshell:
- You need to make a read on all your players before they even start their warm up. You can see how much your players are up for it even as they set foot from their cars. I can see all the guys do this as I look out my office. Their body language is a huge giveaway. Watch your players. Ask them how they feel. See how they look.
- You need to have more than the grunt work up your sleeve when working with teams. Our rugby second row has a dodgy back. He is starting this week. What do you do? Wrap him in cotton wool. Yes. But you have to make him feel like he is ready for the game. Most, if not all players carry some form of injury it is how you manage them. So he set a PB in the floor press on Monday and then today it was on the treatment table for some A.R.T and N.M.T. on his back and hip flexors. His Neural Slump Test was brutal but within 15 minutes it was ‘normal’. He went from feeling like a patient to ready to do some damage. I work hard at always learning and ‘up-skilling’. In times like these, boy it is worth it.
- You need to think outside the box with Rugby Players. I had the group of three in this week and had an awesome session mapped out for them. Power work with contrast jumps. Magic. What happened? I shouted them breakfast. As it happens all of them were up late studying and getting in assignments. Training on ZERO sleep would have served the same level of purpose.
- You need to communicate and draw on resources. I am surrounded by a really passionate coaching team. We can analyse where we need to take th players from where they are now to where they should be. You can’t do that if you work in a bubble. Surround yourself with experts.
- Simplicity Kills. My training programmes focus on 3-4 exercises. Any more and you confuse the sh*t out of players who attention span is of a toddler. How can you possibly see PBs in your lifts if your programme looks like an algebra textbook. Keep it simple. Your squat is going up or it isn’t.
- Winning is all that matters at this level. No-one cares how they did in the gym. It is what happens at 2.30 on a Saturday.
- My New Dumbbells Kick Ass. Yes – they are awesome and I can’t wait to unleash the 50kg DBs.
Tom, Fellow Sphere Trainer Gives them the Thumbs Up
- How much I love my Training Centre – I know how much I am grateful to work with an incredible team and a group of like-minded individuals who are willing to truly improve themselves. To this I don’t actually work. My work is my passion.
Folks Taking Part in the Body Challenge Event
What did you learn this week?
John
John Lark is Author of Get Fit for Rugby and Nutrition for Rugby – two great resources for the Amateur Rugby Player.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi John,
Great post. A bit interested on the neural slump test. Could you explain what it is and what you did to get it to normal in 15 min.
Thanks
In a nut shell this is a test to see the functioning of the nerves from the top to toe. I did some basic loosening of the lower back and then A.R.T (Active Release Technique). Really helpful and is immediate in the relief it gives.