ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the optimal methods for periodizing rugby training across the year. A key goal of periodization is to prevent stagnation, but it should also reduce the potential for overtraining, maintain performance throughout a season, and ensure players peak at the appropriate times of the year. In order to reduce the monotony of training, gym-based training is usually conducted unsupervised, away from the training facility, with less emphasis on technically demanding exercises that might require corrective feedback. The primary goal of field training in the off-season is to maintain aerobic capacity to reduce the likelihood of injuries during the subsequent general preparatory mesocycle. Prior to pre-season training commencing, musculoskeletal screenings should be conducted by the physiotherapist to identify players predisposed to injuries due to movement restrictions. Coupled with musculoskeletal screenings and body composition evaluations, submaximal assessments at the start of pre-season offer a pragmatic approach that enables longitudinal monitoring of fitness for all players.
