MAXIMISING THE POTENTIAL, STAGE 5

TRAINING TO WIN 18+

This page is based on the RFU LTAD Booklet. You can download the pdf document on the Free Download section of my website.

All of the athlete’s physical, technical, tactical, mental, and ancillary capacities are now fully established. The focus of training has shifted to the optimization of performance.
Athletes are trained to peak for major competitions.

FE/HE establishments, representative squads, regional & national academies, national age grade & senior representative sides.

Men: 18+ years, women: 17+ years.

High performance.

Individual fitness programs for maintenance and improvement.

Refined core skills - individual positional skill development program.

High degree of decision making, leadership and game analysis skills. Able to adjust tactics and game plan to suit demands of individual matches.

Self-motivation and discipline. Mentally strong. Understanding of group dynamics.

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ELITE - three team training sessions; COMMUNITY - one or two training sessions.

One match per week

TALENTED - 10 rugby specific; COMMUNITY - 3-5 hours quality coaching and playing.

Multiple periods of training and competition - age group dependant.

HANDLING
Catching

• Catch the ball cleanly from left and right even when delivered at an awkward height.
• Catch the ball cleanly from left and right even when moving near to top speed.
• Secures the high/rolling ball under pressure in both attack and defense.

Passing

• Produce accurate and appropriate passes off right and left hand (pop, soft, spin, switch).
• Produce accurate and appropriate passes off left and right hand even when moving close to top
  speed.
  

RUNNING

• Appropriate positioning to receive the ball with width and depth.
• Adopt running lines which fixes opponents and creates space for others.
• Run evasively, threatening the opposition with pace and running skill - swerve sidestep and spin turn.

KICKING
Game related kicking

• Achieve optimal distance with kick - finding touch when necessary.
• Kick in attack so that possession is regained or there is a net gain in territory.
• Kick with left and right foot.
• Where and when appropriate start and restart the game so that the team gains a tactical advantage.
  

CONTACT
Tackling

• Make an appropriate tackle - offensive/defensive/side/rear/front.
• Tackle aggressively, stopping the forward movement of an opponent.
• Resume involvement immediately by regaining feet as quickly as possible.
• Retain possession in the tackle making appropriate decisions in order to make the ball available to team mates.
• Adopt a suitable position to fulfil a defensive role in conjunction with other team members.

SET PIECES
Line out

• THrows in straight with timing and speed, which enables the jumper to win the ball - 2
• Compress and close space - ALL
• Support the jumper providing a solid platform from which the ball can be won - 1 & 3
• Act as sweeper when attempting to get over the gain line - ALL
• Time a jump to outmaneuver an opponent in order to win the ball - JUMPER
• Deliver the ball at the appropriate height and speed to the scrum half - JUMPER
• Time a jump to spoil or win the ball from the opposition - JUMPER
• Drives through spaces in the line out - ALL

Scrum

• Adopt a body position which enables a clean strike and channel - 2
• Adopt a position which enables scrummaging at a preferred height - 1 & 3
• Provide a stable and square scrummage - ALL
• Adopt a body position which transmits maximum power to pressure opposition - ALL
• Control the ball at the base of the scrum to enable best use of the next phase - 8

RUCK/MAUL

• Able to retain the ball in contact by making appropriate decisions in order to make the ball available to team mates.
• Make appropriate decisions when a team mate or the opposition have possession - joining or staying out.
• Adopt a low body position with a dynamic forward movement - aiming to stay on feet.
• Support a ball carrier.
• Secures or regains the ball.
  

Relevant topics

• LTAD Model explained
• The different stages in more detail: Stage 1, Stage 2, Stage 3, Stage 4, Stage 5, Stage 6
• The Free Download section

Copyright, 23-10-2006