Rugby: rugby strength

I'm trying to work out what the best age is to introduce contact to children (tackling, mauling, rucking). I think learning early how to handle contact safely is very important, but at the same time, I want to make sure it is not too early. Are there any universal guidelines, or does it vary from national union to national union?

Hi IRBcoaching. im a 21 year of male playing lock for a midland 2 rugby team. im after some gym training tips? want to kno how many times i should be training per week in the gym and how to train in the gym.

I coach a 15s team and the players are asking about a basic gym workout, any ideas.

I recently received this in my "inbox"%3A Building a Flat Line Defence System Dear Rugby Coach, Whether your in the northern hemisphere and winding down for this season, or maybe already planning for next, or your in the southern hemisphere and the new season has just begun, this week we are pleased to present the workings of a Flat Line Defensive System. The following is the principles of how the system is implemented, Full Members can download the training drills to coach the system with their team. Upgrade to full access today. When teaching any defensive formation, you must always consider, how it works both in open play / set-pieces and from the breakdown, and that all players understand the roles they play. Priniciples for Open Play Key pointsThe make sure you choose the system to fit playing strength%3A Either IN-2-OUT or OUT-2-IN. Considering using INSIDE-2-OUT Midfield Gain-Line never broken. Surrender very wide attack to cover defence. Offensive 2m tackles. Pendulum wide cover. Huge communication requirements. Step-in System. Up and Drift. Forgive me but I haven't got a scooby do (clue) what the above means - please could the technobabble be explained (maybe we should start a dictionary of coaching terms?)

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I need ideas for fun team building activities and any fun games to help towards team building. Has anyone got any ideas on what to do? Anything to spice up rugby training sessions in the dark, cold winter nights.

RFU - proposed Mini's rule changes%3A All - just a quick straw poll%3A Have any CLUBS that you are aware of officially come out in SUPPORT of these changes? If not, have they come out officially rejecting the proposed changes, or are they adopting a "wait and see" attitude? Regards Stephe

I have a junior Colt (u17) 6'3" plays 2nd row. He has good skills but want to `bulk-up' to make bigger hits when tackling. Anyone suggest a suitable weight-training routine to help him put on muscle.

I was asked a question  by email recently and I thought it would be good to put it here as a question for anyone else to comment on%3A Dear sir, I played for 35 yr.s mostly hooker, some back line play. I was tutored in 1972 by former US Eagle hooker Jessie Lopez. We need to stabilize modern era scrums, specifically the front row. The way it's been done forever is wrong. Currently two pressure points come together head to head; and ofcourse the front rows twist amp; turn, left and right, up and down. Thus we are having more injuries with increased focus on scrum strength. FRONT ROWS SHOULD COME TOGETHER CONCAVE AS OPPOSED TO CONVEX. The hookers need to take the under bind on the props instead of the traditional over the top.This technique works much better by dispersing/spreading the impact.Also the hooker being set back about 6 inches is less at risk. If you don't think I know what I am talking about then ask some professionals who serve as the battering ram to try it. Their is a thin line separating safety from serious injury my friend. The way it's done now is time proven to be dangerous. You sir are probably not a hooker or tight head, so go inquire. It might not seem like a noticeable difference, but if it saves a couple people from getting thier necks broke next year - THEN IT BECOMES A BIG DIFFERENCE !! Thanks, Tim Nicodemus Fort Wayne Rugby Club

I'm coaching and reffing U11 rugby and one of my players is the definitive 'big lad'. His 'strength' is his size and his power, but last weekend he didn't seem to get reffed fairly. The opposition couldn't tackle him down, one on one and when another two joined in to make a mini maul, that didn't slow him down much either. The ref then let other people join in the (one sided) struggle to tackle him down, which seemed very unfair as A) it's outside the laws of U11 rugby,, B) it makes it nigh on impossible for him to offload, C) when he is brought to ground, he has 4-5 players all over him and he got pinged for 'holding on'. He is a recent arrival to rugby and it was our first game for a couple of months, so the situation hadn't reared his head before. We are keen that he learns all of the core skills of rugby and doesn't get used as a battering ram, but after seeing a pack of hyenas trying to pull down the big fella, something just didn't seem right to me.I'd be grateful for any thoughts and opinions.

Are there any templates I can use for a rugby player development programme. I want to 'profile' players ability strength development areas etc

Hi I was just wondering what the best upper and lower body workouts would be for rugby. It would be great if you know some good ones and get back to me. Cheers Asked using Sportplan Mobile App

What's the recommended periodisation for introducing each element during preseason in a 12 week block?