A further update(RFU) now advises that up to 4 groups of 6 on a pitch can now do fitness and ball work as long as each group ensures a 2 meter gap between each player and follow hygiene advice by using hand sanitiser when doing ball work. It remains the case that no body contact can be included in training sessions.

IRFU – IRELAND ROADMAP ISSUED JUNE 11TH 2020(Below)

Read more relative stuff…

Draft Covid Operation For Clubs HERE

Seven Ways For a Successful Return To Sport HERE

Rugby In Isolation HERE

Read our latest article about ACL injury HERE

Return to Non-Contact Rugby – PITCH PLAN (update 08/06/20)

ROAD MAP FOR NON-CONTACT RUGBY ADHERING TO RFU / GOV GUIDELINES JUNE 5^TH UPDATE (INFOGRAPH HERE)

*Irish Government Are Allowing Up To Groups of 15, including trainer and coaches, may return to non-contact outdoor training activity(but not matches) while maintaining social distancing at all times.

ROAD MAP ISSUED IN DETAIL

Read more relative stuff…

Draft Covid Operation HERE

Seven Ways For a Successful Return To Sport HERE

Rugby In Isolation HERE

Read our latest article about ACL injury HERE

Return to Non-Contact Rugby – ROADMAP DETAILS (update 05/06/20)

ROAD MAP FOR NON-CONTACT RUGBY ADHERING TO RFU / GOV GUIDELINES JUNE 5^TH UPDATE (INFOGRAPH HERE)

(*IRFU are allowing up to groups of 15, including trainer and coaches, may return to non-contact outdoor training activity(but not matches) while maintaining social distancing at all times.)

While a great degree of uncertainly still exists, we are continuing to follow RFU and Government guidelines. We are focused on what is sensible and right for non-contact rugby like touch and tag.

Aligning with RFU’s road map is dependent on how Covid-19 pandemic develops and government advice. It is all possible, should socially distancing measures be strengthened at any time, that they reassess the situation and regress.

ROAD MAP (RFU’s Benchmark)

The road map consists of six stages. It may be necessary to remain in any one stage for a sustained period. With any luck we may be able to jump a stage adhering to RFU’s implementations.

Individual training with one other person
Individual training in small groups
Larger group training with limited face-to-face or close contact
Whole team training with increased face-to-face or close contact
Whole team training in preparation to play matches
Return to matches against other teams

We moved to stage A on May 13^th when it became permissible for rugby club pitches to be opened and for 2 individuals to meet, while remaining 2m apart, and engage in individual fitness-based training. Most recent government announcement on May 28^th made it possible, from June 1^st, to move to stage B. Here 6 individuals from different households may now meet up and engage in individual training, applying social distancing rules (2m minimum apart). Most importantly equipment can be shared 😉 but to a safe level emphasising the need for hygiene before, during and after practice.

It is possible that the RFU may remain at stage B for a while, with potential for a gradual enlargement of groups. (constant monitoring)

Regarding stage C, it is likely to see larger groups able to train together and may involve more interactive activity other than simply fitness and conditioning work.

A move to stage D is likely to be set off by a more significant relaxation of social distancing measures and when the risk element of typical non-contact rugby training involves close face-to-face contact.

Stage E allows for preparation for the restart to play and matches.

Stage F allows for a return to matches between players from different clubs. (Not fully but with possible variations)

NB – For the time being practice sessions may be subject to a Corona Virus self-declaration.

ROAD MAP ISSUED IN DETAIL

Read more relative stuff…

Draft Covid Operation HERE

Seven Ways For a Successful Return To Sport HERE

Rugby In Isolation HERE

Read our latest article about ACL injury HERE

Restart Non-Contact Games – Post Lockdown Response To Covid19 (update 03/06/20)

Read more relative stuff…

Draft Covid Operation HERE

Seven Ways For a Successful Return To Sport HERE

Rugby In Isolation HERE

Read our latest article about ACL injury HERE

Roadmap For Returning To Non-Contact Games – Post Lockdown Response To Covid19

For those anxious about updates on club sports, there will be guidelines on returning to non contact games like Tag Rugby and Touch Rugby published here. These will be introduced gradually based on government protocols. They will not in any way shape or form constitute a solution to NOT spreading the virus, more an attempt to #StaySafe #PlaySafe and adopt an environment to reduce the spread of Corona Virus. Each and every club must form their own opinion ultimately. What’s been published here is a joint effort of non contact rugby club officials including qualified health & safety personel.

The following is a SUMMARY of the roadmap to re-entering non contact club sports safely. Please refer to the non contact Club Official Guidelines (COG)

HEALTH & SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS NON CONTACT RUGBY

Appointment of Club Safety Officer
Appointment of Covid19 Compliance Officer
Safety Plan in place with #CovidOperation (education / health measures)

TRAINING RECOMMENDATIONS NON CONTACT RUGBY

Beginning with a small group (gradual increase based on gov protocols) non contact in accordance with Club Official Guidelines(COG)
Reduced activities with a gradual increase to some sort of normality
Time Limits Restricted with a gradual increase to some sort of normality

PLAYING RECOMMENDATIONS NON CONTACT RUGBY

At the moment there are NO team playing sports of any shape or form in the non contact rugby arena,unless government suggests otherwise.
Closed doors events are up to the discretion of the club.
Open air events with or without an audience are yet to be decide

Latest update as of first week in June:

*RFU are allowing up to groups of 6.

(*Irish Government Are Allowing Up To Groups of 15, including trainer and coaches, may return to non-contact outdoor training activity(but not matches) while maintaining social distancing at all times.)

LATEST UPDATE HERE GO NOW 03/06/20

Experimental Tag Yoga by Cherish(Beginners)

Yoga is the union of mind, body and soul.

With the regular practice of yoga, one attains physical and mental freedom. Through the postures, the body is stretched and the physical blockages are released by which one loosens and strengthens the muscles. With the practice of breathing exercises and meditation, one becomes mindful of the present moment, without any judgements, accepting them as they are and letting go of any mental blockages.

In a fast paced and agile game like tag rugby, the main focus of fitness comprises of the following components :

1. Cardiovascular fitness – the ability to take in, transport and utilise oxygen, and is expressed as your VO2 max. The more oxygen you can get to your working muscles, the higher your VO2 max will be. It is mainly affected by :

💎 Heart
💎Lungs
💎Circulatory system (blood vessels)
💎 Muscles

2. Speed

3. Agility – The ability to respond quickly to a stimulus

4. Strength and power

Hatha yoga is a complete package consisting of all the elements to help you be in a state of flow and to help you to boost all of the above by :

– [x] Increasing core temperature
– [x] Increasing joint mobility
– [x] Speed
– [x] Improved blood flow and oxygen supply to muscles
– [x] Delayed fatigue
– [x] Improved concentration
– [x] Improved Core strength
– [x] Being more aware and mindful
– [x] Decrease in stress
– [x] Reduces the chance of injury

Breathing exercises or pranayama helps to bring more oxygen to the the blood and thus to the brain; and to control prana or vital energy, leading to the control of mind. It helps to increase the lung capacity and to reduce stress and improve concentration.

Postures or asanas are a set of exercises that helps in stretching the muscles and becoming aware of one’s body. During intense muscular activity, metabolism is increased where all the muscular tissues are supplied with fresh oxygenated blood or plasma. It helps in making the muscles flexible and elastic which will reduce muscle tears and pulls.

Various postures are facilitated depending on the body parts that is to be focused especially hips, thighs and ankles that will help with the game of tag rugby.

Meditation helps in becoming one with the body, mind and soul. It is a process of going inwards and observing within. It is a state that transcends all the limitations. With regular practice of meditation, one becomes more aware, alert and present in the moment. It can help with concentration and quick response as well.

Cherish is a certified hatha yoga instructor, hypnotherapist, past life regression therapist, psychic healer, NLP master, mindfulness trainer currently pursuing my masters in Positive Psychology and Coaching Psychology

Read our latest article about 7 ways For A Successful Return To Sports HERE

Read our latest article about ACL injury HERE

7 Ways For A Successful Return To Sports

Recent research has identified key factors that can have a significant impact on whether someone returns to sport after a long period of time and if they return to their previous level. Manage these factors and you can get back to playing tag, running, etc.. with a healthy mind and body.

Warm up/Cool Down. Walking helps to warm up while stretches are valuable cooling down.
Put yourself in control,set new goals, leave new ones in the past.
Focus on form not weight. Poor form could bring back that ole injury. Gradually use weights relative to your progress, light to med to heavy.
Pay attention to your breathing. (maybe try yoga as a way to bridge reintegrating into the sport.) Exhale as you work against resistance by lifting, pushing, or pulling; inhale as you release.
Manage your mental health. Some athletes don’t realise it but it could shock the system, remember your environment has changed after such a long period.
Stick to your regime, repeat some exercises but enjoy it. Change them up varying areas of muscle strengthening.
Lean towards the positive, it’s not like you can pick up where you left off. Allow yourself time to get back to those days where you were much fitter and stronger.

Read our latest article about ACL injury HERE

Tag Rugby In Isolation – Keep In Tag – by Aziz Hamra

Hello everyone! These are curious times in the UK, the pandemic is still marching on, we left some sort of union in Europe recently, my mate turned 40, an unprecedented broadcast from the Queen… An abundance of significant events. In the noise of all of these, tag rugby takes a step back and blends into the number of things we wish we could be doing instead of binging on Narcos and Big Bang Theory on Netflix. So, it’s important to stay active, positive and get some practice in if we can. I thought I would share some training tips I use in my garden. If you don’t have a garden, you can still go to the local park, just make sure you keep a distance from other people and keep safe.

My first advice is to just throw the ball around, for example, I pick a target in the garden – usually ends up being a flower pot I don’t like or a shovel I stick into the ground at the end of the garden – and throw the ball at it. Different angles, both hands, vary the distance, etc. This has helped me a lot with precision passing, and it gets you moving around a bit, as you have to go and get the ball yourself if you are doing this on your own.

My second piece of wisdom is for those of us who don’t have access to a garden or a local park or just don’t want to risk going outside at the moment. In one of my previous articles, I wrote about listing the things to do in attack and defence, like identifying the threats early, getting in position, controlling the defensive line, etc. Write down 3-5 thing you want to improve in attack or defence, and visualise them, try to imagine a scenario where you would need these skills, and just move around the room, trying to get your feet positioning right, judge the possible angles and improve spatial awareness, i.e. how much space you may have in attack or how much space you are responsible for covering in defence. It is important to be ready tactically as much as physically.

Lastly, you can just work on your balance and coordination, for example balancing on one leg for 30 seconds, gradually increasing the time, hand-eye coordination exercises and all the other small and easy movements, just to keep the blood flowing. You don’t even have to interrupt the binging for this!

Above all, keep safe, look after yourselves, and, as always, give me a shout if you want to have a chat about any tag-related stuff!