Guest Blog from TrueFitness: Youth Rugby is Growing!

The number of Youth Rugby participants is growing, and youth rugby is growing in exposure. This is great for the sport of rugby. With the increase in exposure and the number of participants, competition is sure to increase – as will the players’ desire to become competitive (win). As a result, the need for performance training in rugby is increasing as well. Today’s blog will deal with training for youth rugby so players can maximize their athletic performance without any increase in the risk of injury.

Youth for the sake of argument, in this blog will deal with under 14 years of age. It is accepted that individuals mature at different rates so applying different parameters for training will be on an individual needs basis. For today, we will deal in the broad spectrum of the stereotypical youth from 14 years and younger. This applies to both boys and girls.

Children are not adults! They need to be trained accordingly. Youth have their own set of goals, needs and parameters that a trainer needs to follow when creating a training program. The focus of a youth program should be based around the needs of a child, and not that of an adult. Their bodies are not ready for certain strength training components like lifting heavy, adding muscle mass and impact exercises requiring strong bones. As a result, strength & muscle development should not be the programming priorities or goals of youth performance training.

The best athlete is not necessarily the strongest, fastest or quickest – it’s the one who is the most athletic. Improving athleticism will make a player a better athlete. So what makes up athleticism? The key components to being athletic are body control, hand/eye coordination, footwork, balance, quickness and the ability to apply power in an athletic manner – or, applying power while being in complete control of one’s movements. Strength and speed are aspects of athleticism but are not the key components to being athletic. A youth training program needs to focus around the key components to assure safety and proper improvement in sports performance.

Children have growing bodies and the associated growing pains of joint fatigue, muscle strains and clumsiness. Because of these challenges that adults don’t face, a proper youth training program will focus to eliminate clumsiness and lack of coordination while minimizing the risk of joint and muscle injury to a growing body. Getting stronger should not be the focus: if we cannot control our bodies then our strength will not matter when it is needed. Besides, at this age the human body is not prepared for the ability to add lean body mass, which is the necessary requirement for adding strength. When children learn how to control their bodies, then they are becoming more athletic. A more athletic player is a better player. Exercises that are designed to improve full body coordination, footwork, reactivity, quickness, hand/eye coordination and power will help a young athlete become the best athlete that his or her body allows.

For more info and education on sports performance training, be sure to check out our group page on Facebook, TrueFitness Performance Conditioning. You will learn valuable lessons to be your best and improve your athleticism.
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Anyone in the San Diego area is welcome to drop in at our studio at 2949 Garnet Ave. 3rd floor, Pacific Beach, CA. We would love to put you through our workout. Please feel free to call or email Spencer Aiken,CSCS (951) 296-7993 email:spencer@truefitness.biz

Article written by Spencer Aiken, CSCS, CEO, TrueFitness

Edited by Clarissa Constantine, www.fittopublish.com.