A better focus on coaching

The newly elected President of The Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union Nimal Lewke spelt out his plans for the game immediately after taking over office. Two significant areas that he laid emphasis, among others, was the need to expose coaches to the scientific aspects and the improvement of rugby at school level. These are two important aspects that need to be dealt with for the game to progress. And progress it will.

The game of rugby as much as other sports has developed over the years. The use of science to attain better performance is part and parcel for climbing higher. Sports science is a serious study and those that move to higher levels make the maximum use of such knowledge. The identification of the need and commitment to action that need to be taken is encouraging as we set our eyes to the next level for rugby.

There is in the meanwhile volumes of material that is available for reading The web site coachesinfo.com has data on the science and theory behind a number of aspects on the game. Those who may be interested could visit the site coachesinfo.com. It deals among other things with the line out, the clean out, engagement techniques in the scrum etc. There is also on discussion the application of biomechanical principles to most facets of the game. The scientific application of techniques for better lifting is explained and is very useful reading. This is not all that is available to those who are willing to surf the web.

To-day the shift is to knowledge based training and monitoring of the performance of the athlete. This is becoming very important for better performance and achievement. As we get set for the next level the need to have a great deal of knowledge about each individual player is important. There is a need to collect as such data as possible about the player if we are to lift him towards greater achievement. The age of information technology has provided with packages and tools to help in these areas. Packages provide not only for the collection of data but also to analyze and present data in the form of reports. These reports can be on individuals or groups depending on such variables as injury status, position played, age, time since last game, etc, there is no limit to the types of analysis that can be done. These reports will be able to tell you the basics. For example you will be able to definitively show if a power for a certain exercise has increased.

As each team member is subtly different they will all have different responses to overloads from tough games or training sessions. By monitoring the athlete repeatedly over these periods this response can be mapped and then used to fine tune the preparation of each individual in the lead up to big events.

The regular monitoring will also give a stage-of-season benchmark for each individual as a reference for injury recovery, and rate of recovery. As well as for self comparison of your standard.

The thinking to expose the coaches to the aspects of scientific training therefore is a need of the hour and speaks well for the future of the game.

Schools rugby has been enjoyable and a good spectator sport. Among equals in Sri Lanka it has been considered that the game is played at a high level. Yet the ability to match the others in the region has not been a strong point. It was only a few years ago that the schoolboy team competed in the Junior World Cup. Today we have to be contended with a win for a trophy at almost the shield stage. The need is present; for taking a closer look of the game at the schoolboy level with a view to improve techniques and skills. This has to be done or else we may not be able to reach the top at this point. If we do not reach the higher levels at the junior game then it will be difficult to push the game at the senior level.

The recognition of the need to work along with the school is another milestone that is praiseworthy. The game seems poised for a further take off in 2007. The stage is set and all hands will have to be on the wheel then we will not be rolling on but climbing higher.