Youth Rugby Players Research Articles

Mental Qualities and Employed Mental Techniques of Young Elite Team Sport Athletes

Research on the psychological characteristics of elite performers has primarily focused on Olympic and World champions; however, the mental attributes of young developing and talented athletes have received less attention. Addressing this, the current study had two aims: (a) to examine the perceptions held by youth athletes regarding the mental qualities they need to facilitate their development and (b) to investigate the mental techniques used by these athletes. Forty-three male youth rugby players participated in a series of focus groups. Inductive content analysis revealed 11 categories of psychological qualities, including enjoyment, responsibility, adaptability, squad spirit, self-aware learner, determination, confidence, optimal performance state, game sense, attentional focus, and mental toughness. Techniques employed included personal performance strategies, refection on action, taking advantage of a supportive climate, and team-based strategies. Findings are discussed in relation to their implications for mental skills training program development and evaluation in the case of youth elite team sport athletes.

Talent identification and development in youth rugby players: a research review

Several South African studies were conducted during the past twelve years (1995 to 2007) as part of a research project on Talent Identification and Development. The main objective of this project was to compile the profile of a potential talented and elite youth rugby player, primarily within the conceptual research model proposed by Salmela and Régnier (1983). Hundreds of elite youth rugby players, within the age range 10 to 19 years old, were tested on several anthropometric, physical and motor abilities, game specific skills, and injury epidemiology. The research project wasextended to England and New Zealand, and the data compared with that of South African teams. Other possible variables of talent identification, including proprioception, balance, plyometric strength, injuries, and ethical behaviour, were also investigated. The aim of this research review is to provide scientific evidence concerning the profile of an elite youth rugby player, thereby providing variables, assessment tools, and recommendations to coaches, selectors, administrators, and scouts, which may be used in the identification, selection, and development of futureelite rugby players. Hopefully, this research review will furthermore stimulate future research on talent identification and development within youth team sport.

A comparison of talented south african and english youth rugby players with reference to game-specific-, anthropometric-, physical and motor variables

Research on talent identification in youth rugby is still unexploited. The aim of this study is a comparision of talented South African and English youth rugby players (18-year old) with reference to game-specific-, anthropometric- and physical and motor variables. Three groups of elite rugby players were selected from the two countries and were tested on 13 anthropometric-, six physical and motor- and eight game-specific tests. The results showed that there are no big differences as far as anthropometric variables are concerned, the English players, however, significantly demonstrated the worst results in all the physical and motor abilities while the South African players performed the best in game-specific skills due to possible better coaching. South African Journal for Research in Sport, Physical Education and Recreation Vol. 28(1) 2006: 101-107

In-Season Periodization With Youth Rugby Players

In-Season Periodization With Youth Rugby Players

In-Season Periodization With Youth Rugby Players

summaryThis article presents an overview of the conditioning requirements of rugby union, followed by a sample of a yearly strength periodization plan. This plan focuses on a core group of techniques, with supplemental techniques rotated in phases.

Injuries in youth amateur soccer and rugby players—comparison of incidence and characteristics

Objectives: In reviewing the literature on sports injuries, few studies could be found in which exposure related incidences of injury in different types of sport were compared. These studies indicated...