Case Study

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Field-based training

The content and load of preseason field-based training in a championship-winning professional rugby league team.

A case study

Article Overview

The rugby league preseason, spanning 6–12 weeks and 3–4 periodised phases without competitive fixtures, integrates a blend of skill-focused drills, tactical exercises, and match-simulation to enhance physical qualities, technical skills, and tactical abilities. This study aimed to detail training content and load distribution of a successful professional rugby league team during preseason.

30 Professional male rugby league players completed an 8-week pre- season. GPS devices and heart rate were used to monitor physical and physiological responses of different field-based training components (speed, conditioning, rugby skill and game-based training).

Practical Points

Different field-based training formats can be integrated into both micro and macro cycles, emphasising specificity, particularly through game-based training and rugby skill drills.

  • Coaches are advised to incorporate a blend of game-based training, conditioning, skills, and speed drills during the rugby league preseason to adequately prepare players.

  • Volume and intensity should progress within micro and macro cycle periods, with tapering in the latter weeks of the preseason to prepare players for the upcoming competition phase.

  • Overview

    The rugby league preseason, spanning 6–12 weeks and 3–4 periodised phases without competitive fixtures, integrates a blend of skill-focused drills, tactical exercises, and match-simulation to enhance physical qualities, technical skills, and tactical abilities. This study aimed to detail training content and load distribution of a successful professional rugby league team during preseason.

  • Methods

    30 Professional male rugby league players completed an 8-week pre-season. GPS devices and heart rate were used to monitor physical  and physiological responses of different field-based training components (speed, conditioning, rugby skill and game-based training).

  • Main Findings

    Different field-based training formats can be integrated into both micro and macro cycles, emphasising specificity, particularly through game-based training and rugby skill drills.

  • Result 1

    Training Contribution Analysis

    Rugby skill training contributed the most to total distance covered, conditioning primarily contributed to high-speed running, and game-based training led to the highest high metabolic distance.

  • Result 2

    Preseason Structure

    The preseason lack specific phases but instead featured a progressive increase in external load up to a peak during week 6, followed by a taper in the final two weeks.

  • Practical Point 1

    Coaches are advised to incorporate a blend of game-based training, conditioning, skills, and speed drills during the rugby league preseason to adequately prepare players.

  • Practical Point 2

    Volume and intensity should progress within micro and macro cycle periods, with tapering in the latter weeks of the preseason to prepare players for the upcoming competition phase.

Full Case Study here:

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/17479541211064872

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