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Frequently Asked Questions: Our schedules are busy. Why are we using team time to do fitness? Can't we do this on our own time? This is a common argument against collective fitness training. Historically, however, women rugby players that need to improve their fitness are not the ones that make a personal commitment to working out. By working out together, those that have trouble motivating themselves benefit from being surrounded by their team-mates. Those players that would have worked-out on their own, are not usually the ones that complain. Finally, collective fitness training, working together to attain a common goal, builds team cohesion that will manifest itself on the field.
How will fitness make me a better rugby player? Fitness is a mental state of mind. Don't expect that by being fit that the last ten minutes of the game will be any less gruelling. After all, players are involved in the game to the extent that they can be - if you're fit, you are expected to do more rucking, to run faster and to hit harder. These are all things that consume more energy. Nonetheless, fit players are rewarded with a certain mental clarity when nearing the point of exhaustion that allows them to persevere and perform better than their less fit counter-parts.
Are "fitness" and "rugby fitness" the same thing? No. Plenty of very fit people would not be able to complete a rugby game. However, fitness is a necessary component of rugby fitness - you can't be rugby fit without a certain level of basic fitness. Rugby tends to demand both aerobic capacity and strength from its players. By testing both aerobically and for strength, hopefully we will be able to measure each player's overall "rugby fitness."
What's with the public display of results? Are you trying to embarrass us? No! The objective of the site is to reward performance and improvement not to punish the under performers. Ultimately, if you're embarrassed by your score you can ask to have your results removed from the team chart. This, however, will not disguise your lack of fitness - after all, each player's level of fitness becomes glaringly apparent during games. The only person you would be hiding your performance from would be yourself.
How will I be rated if I play two positions? Which standards should I be working toward? If you play two or more positions you should be striving for the goals that are the most difficult to attain. For example, if you play back and front row, your beep test and 3000m run goals should be level 12 and 12 minutes respectively (back row standards) and your strength goal should be 180lbs (front row standard). For those of you who have always wanted to try a new position here's your chance to prove that you have the physical capacity to do so. Those props and second rows who have been typecasted because of your size and strength - if you achieve back row standards, you will have the position of flanker and/or 8-man added to your repertoire of positions - its the first step of breaking out of the tight five. Similarly, wingers who are eager to try propping - here's your chance to prove that you can do it despite your size. Here's a challenge - by completing the 3000m in under 12 minutes, achieving a 12 or above on the beep test and by bench pressing 180lbs or more, you have effectively proved that you have the physical capacity to play ANY position on the field. |
