Friday, May 9, 2008

Near the Start of the Real Kick-Off

I addressed the team that I will be working with this season and their players to map out why and what they need to be doing for their Strength and Conditioning this Season. and more specifically what they can do to boost their rugby fitness.

To say they were bullied around the park last year would be an understatement. Thier rugby fitness was poor.

Now they have invested in a new gym and there is a genuine interest to make rugby fitness improvements.

This team contains a number of professional rugby players. But they are no means flush.

Instead they realise as a group of individuals that something had to be done. One step at a time. One session at a time. Rugby fitness is about baby steps (I plan a year at a time)

It called for the usual platitudes of 'honesty' and 'hard-work'.

But at the end of the day it is all about getting in the heads of your players. Some are family men, young fellas or labourers - not gym junkies. The thought of them hitting the gym would be real pain.

So what would you do? Here is my formula:

Find their pain, remind them of it, encourage success and the pleasures in winning.

What would you do?

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JL
www.getfitforrugby.com