Its match time!

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Category: Anti Doping

Published on Wednesday, 27 July 2011 13:56

Written by Esala de Livera Tennekoon

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Ever wonder what goes in to an individual or a team performance when it comes to a rugby match. After being in the field of rugby for more than 10 years as a player and also as a coach I would like to highlight some of the things that have been the focal points when it comes to performance.

Mental preparation

Concentration in rugby has now been found to be a vital aspect. For a rugby team to concentrate for more than half an hour is not an easy task. Like every other sport this too has evolved in to a sport where various measures are taken to enhance one's concentration levels. One of the main activities used by professional coaches is to use other sports which involve a lot more on the sport concentrations. Sports such as chess, darts, carrom, archery and checkers can be used to enhance the level of concentration. This does seem like a process used out of the ordinary. But it is this kind of out of the box thinking and training in the off season that can give the players the mental edge to last through the season.

Players find different elements of preparation.  Some players listen to their favourite music just before they get on the field. You may have witnessed players in high concentration with their IPods’ or phones connected to a headset on full blast looking on at one direction focussing on what is expected by them while others would sit in quiet concentration. Yet others chose to dispel pressure and thoughts before they get on the ground with playful banter and/or conversation.

Some players have the habit or the superstition of doing things before going on to the field. They get their strapping done by a particular individual or in a particular way, wear some sort of trade mark just to make them feel comfortable and unique or it might be just kissing the grass just before you get on to the field. Players practice so many different things to get things right for them. It’s very interesting to observe such behaviours to note that each player has to go through certain procedures to get mentally prepared.

 

Physical fitness

The fitness aspect is very vital when it comes to a contact sport like rugby. Unlike boxing, rugby players are exposed to oppositions that are much bigger, faster, and strong than them. There is no particular class that separates the big from the small. It’s a full on battle, where individuals who are of various body structures get together and fight. The training aspect once again is of utmost importance! Muscle building should be done off season with the strength training coming in season.

There should be a specialist who knows his way about the gym and also combine it well with nutrition. One of the main concerns that are faced in recent times is the use of performance enhancers. Even though some of the doctors/ trainers prescribe it – unknowingly the banned substance might be one of the ingredients. In the recent past this issue came to light when Sri Lanka cricket opening batsman Upul Tharanga was tested positive for Prednisolone(which is used for Asthma treatment) which is considered to be a banned substance in the eyes of WADA (World Anti Doping Agency).

How does a physician treating a common system know which drugs have banned substances and also how to they stay alert to the patients who are competitive sportsmen or women. Together with Upul three more national level players have gotten caught having banned substances in their body. National rugby players, Saliya Kumara, Keith Gurusinghe and Swarnathileka who played prop in the Asiad which was held recently have been tested positive for Methylhexaneamine. The three rugby players had taken ‘Jack 3D’ which has creatine and helps the body to pump blood in to the muscles faster than usual. This causes the body to be continuously pumped and energetic till the effect of the supplement is gone.

Some of the trainers that are part of sport today do not have the knowledge of proper nutrition and supplements. In the olden days they say that the only supplements that they had were Jack fruit (and not Jack 3D) together with red rice and a lot of fruits and vegetables. Some rugby players purely depend on natural nutrition while other have a mental boost when they take supplements which come somewhat through artificial means. The saying ‘EAT LIKE YOU HAVE NEVER EATEN BEFORE’ or ‘EAT LIKE THIS IS YOUR LAST MEAL’ sayings things that have been drilled in to juniors at the start of their rugby careers.

Big picture

The coaches who are grooming young players to represent schools teams or club teams have to always have an eye on the big picture which is the future of that particular individual. There have been many instances where coaches have purely focussed on short term benefits which have resulted in various long terms injuries for the players. From Kidney failures, to water in the knees all these repercussions come through the short term goal orientation by trainers and coaches. In a situation like this the player concerned will obviously more often than not want the shortest way of recovering. This might include an injection or various other supplementary solutions. The coach or trainer has to take a stand and display more responsibility and take the safer, longer route. You wouldn’t want the players to be blaming you right throughout your life!

Another thing that has to be given the right amount of focus is the life apart from Rugby. If this can be monitored it will be brilliant as the coach or the master in charge is always aware of what the team members are up to when they are not under them. A balance of leisure, home and pleasure should be given to the boys - if not it becomes monotonous to them! There are so many players who are talented in various other fields be it other sports or other extracurricular activities. The coach has to know how to get the maximum out of that particular individual at the same time not harming his other interests.

 

Cohesiveness

‘Coming together is a beginning, Keeping together is progress, Working together is success’ – this is a very famous quote made by Henry Ford talking about team building and cohesiveness. A team can be the strongest on paper but without the right tightness the final goal can never be achieved. Especially in a sport like rugby where all fifteen players play a major role and everyone is putting their body on the line for the person next to them. As a team you have to be able to trust the person who is next to you and know that you have trust in return from that person. Team building can be done in many ways which include solitude when it comes to the team, trust exercises and also communication. At present there are various teams and individuals who have made a name for themselves as team builders or motivators.

 

If a coach is to get the assistance of a motivator it would be beneficial for the team especially gearing them up before the season and making them click as one. The motivator has to have a brief idea of what the team’s capabilities are and also a record of their past performances. This will enable that particular individual to get through to the players directly. Mentioning goals that cannot be achieved or talking without knowing proper facts about the team can be a de-motivating factor for the team.

There are so many things players go through before they get on the park, things that the spectators are not able to see. Sometimes crowds come in and shout – everything possible, from ‘should have done this, should have done that’! But only a few know the real effort which goes in to training. A lot of training, hard work and sacrifice is put in by all the players and that’s what makes ‘RUGBY’ a excellent team sport!

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