Weeks 1-4: Foundation Building
Day 1: Lower Body Strength and Power
Squats: 4 sets x 6-8 reps
Targets quadriceps, hamstrings, and glutes.
Maintain proper form by keeping your back straight, chest up, and knees in line with toes.
Deadlifts: 4 sets x 6-8 reps
Develops posterior chain strength and power.
Engage your core, hinge at the hips, and keep your back flat throughout the movement.
Box Jumps: 3 sets x 6-8 reps
Enhances explosive power and vertical jump.
Land softly, with knees slightly bent, and immediately explode into the next jump.
Day 2: Speed and Agility
Shuttle Runs: 5 sets x 20 meters
Improves acceleration, deceleration, and change of direction.
Focus on explosive starts and sharp cuts at each turn.
Ladder Drills: 3 sets x 1 minute
Enhances foot speed, coordination, and agility.
Maintain quick, light foot contacts and precise movements through the ladder.
Sled Drags: 3 sets x 20 meters
Builds strength and power specific to sprinting.
Keep an upright posture, drive through your legs, and maintain a steady pace.
Weeks 5-8: Intensification Phase
Day 1: Strength and Power
Front Squats: 4 sets x 6-8 reps
Targets quads, core, and upper back.
Keep elbows up, chest tall, and knees in line with toes.
Romanian Deadlifts: 4 sets x 6-8 reps
Improves hamstring and hip strength.
Maintain a slight bend in the knees, hinge at the hips, and keep the bar close to your body.
Depth Jumps: 3 sets x 6-8 reps
Enhances reactive strength and explosiveness.
Step off a box, land softly, and immediately jump as high as possible upon ground contact.
Day 2: Speed and Agility
30-Meter Sprints: 5 sets x 30 meters
Develops maximum speed and sprint mechanics.
Focus on driving your knees high, pumping your arms, and maintaining proper posture.
Cone Drills: 3 sets x 1 minute
Improves agility, quickness, and lateral movement.
Keep your hips low, stay light on your feet, and explode out of each change of direction.
Hill Sprints: 3 sets x 20 meters
Builds leg strength and power while emphasizing proper sprint mechanics.
Drive forcefully with each step and maintain an upright posture while ascending the hill.
Weeks 9-12: Peak Performance Phase
Day 1: Power and Explosiveness
Power Cleans: 4 sets x 5 reps
Develops explosive power and full-body strength.
Focus on triple extension of the hips, knees, and ankles during the pull.
Split Squats: 4 sets x 6-8 reps per leg
Enhances unilateral leg strength and stability.
Keep your torso upright and lower your back knee toward the ground with control.
Plyometric Push-Ups: 3 sets x 8-10 reps
Increases upper body explosiveness and reactive strength.
Explode off the ground with each rep, ensuring full extension of the arms at the top.
Day 2: Speed and Agility
Flying Sprints: 5 sets x 20 meters (10-meter build-up + 10-meter maximal sprint)
Develops speed endurance and accelerative abilities.
Gradually build speed over the first 10 meters before reaching maximum velocity.
Agility Ladder with Ball Handling: 3 sets x 1 minute
Improves footwork, coordination, and ball-handling skills under fatigue.
Maintain quick, precise movements through the ladder while focusing on proper ball control.
Resisted Sprints: 3 sets x 20 meters
Enhances sprinting power and stride length.
Use a resistance band or sled to add resistance while sprinting, focusing on powerful leg drive and arm action.
Tips for Success
Prioritize proper warm-up and cooldown routines before and after each training session to prevent injuries and aid recovery.
Maintain consistency with training frequency, intensity, and effort throughout the program.
Focus on quality over quantity during each exercise, ensuring proper form and technique at all times.
Incorporate rest and recovery days into your weekly schedule to allow your body to repair and adapt to the training stimulus.
Listen to your body and adjust the intensity and volume of workouts as needed to avoid overtraining and burnout.
By following this comprehensive 12-week training plan, rugby players can significantly improve their speed, explosiveness, and overall athletic performance, leading to greater success on the field.