Pre-match rugby warm-ups

There was a legendary pre-match warm-up in the West Country in England, in which the captain of the team would get the players to hit themselves from head to toe, vigorously, before telling them to let the other side “have it”.

Now, as warm-ups go, it would certainly have focused the mind and increased blood flow. Perhaps there could have been a little more activity but it seemed to have worked for this captain and his team.

I am not advocating this warm-up myself so I have given you some examples of contact warm-ups from The Ultimate Rugby Warm-Ups Manual.

Tug of war

Three players stand side by side. The two on the outside hook their inner arm into the nearest arm of the man in the middle. Both outside players attempt to pull the middle player towards them.

Keep going for 15 seconds or until the middle player is moved more than two metres one way or the other.

What to say:

"Pullers keep driving with the legs"

"Try gripping one hand on to the other wrist"

"Roll shoulders slightly forward and back to add more pressure"

Grippers v rippers

One player stands holding the ball. A second and third player must try to get the ball off the first by wrestling without putting the first player on the ground.

What to say:

"Ball carrier roll the shoulders to unbalance the opposition"

"Rippers, pull away fingers to loosen grip"

"Try to get arm between ball and body"