Increasing and maximizing lateral speed on the rugby field is of critical importance especially when it involves movements such as ruck as well as goal line defense movements. All good rugby players know the importance of goal line defense movements. Cutting and side stepping are also very important movements when paying rugby.
Both strength and power must be utilized to the fullest where rugby is concerned. John Pryor Rugby training sessions/programs all focus on increasing endurance and overall strength. Plane exercises have been used in order to test rugby players and some of the results of these tests were quite interesting to say the least.
Vertical jumps and depth jumps were two of the main exercises used when testing professional rugby players. Reactive ability as well as maximum strength were two of the important elements being tested during rugby exercises.
Upon completion of these important exercises it was found that there was no real significant relationship between the speed lateral test and the CMJ. In addition, plane jumps and squatting shared many of the same properties where movement was concerned. Squatting and plane jumps seemed to be the most effective exercises when testing overall lateral movement as well as endurance.
Therefore, maximizing performance in power type movements is the best way to increase overall power and strength with specific rugby movements. You must have better than average reflexes when playing rugby. In addition, muscle and movements speeds are of critical importance to any rugby player looking for a professional career within the sport.
If you are seeking to increase all areas of performance while playing rugby you must tailor your training exercises more closely to any rugby pattern in which you are seeking to improve. Therefore, jump and shuffle movement exercises could be quite beneficial when attempting to improve movement and jump speed while on the playing field.
Regular exercise routines that target direction, force, contact time and muscle stretching would all prove beneficial for a rugby player especially when attempting to make it to the pros. Keep in mind, strength seems to be key in laying a foundation for success while playing rugby.
There are a variety of strength and endurance exercises that rugby players can do on a regular basis. A few minutes of exercise a day can make all the difference in the world where rugby is concerned.
