Aspire2 Clinic News Update 22nd October 26

Autumn 2nd Half term 2026

I know that some come to the skills clinic just to get a little confidence, I know that some others come along to improve their chances of getting into their club first team and some to help progress to the Bath rugby pathway. Having been able to see first-hand the journey of many young players I wanted to share some observations about what factors tend to benefit the group of players that want to take their rugby to the next step. I have put some thoughts below based upon my observations of what can help make a positive difference.

Please let’s remember to bring gum shields, fluids and a beanie or bobble hat as we get to the colder weather. It may be worth having that bin liner with a dry top and joggers to swap into for wearing home, or even to sit on in the car.

The dates for this half term are: 3rd 10th 17th 24th November and 1st 8th 15th December (£70).

Have a great half term and see you in November. Mike and Sue.

From my experience and observations over the years: As teams approach the under 14’s age group and certainly the under 15’s there is a desire to do team training, which is great provided it is not overloaded with high intensity contact activity. As a focus starts to shift from skills to patterns it’s really important that players retain their basic skill levels, not rehearsed they can quickly drop off. You will note that at the beginning of our sessions we do very simple ball skills as individuals’ pairs and in groups of four for maybe 15 mins. Over the next half-term, we want those that attend to develop their own pre-match skills programme which can also become their extras programme when you have team training.

Some coaching teams will allow you some self-time at the start of both settings (it is sometimes referred to as deliberate play). If you watch professional players, you will note that they always get self-time (intros) on match day. I encourage you next time you go to a premiership fixture or international to try to get to your seat an hour before kick-off and watch the players do their own specific warm up activity, working through the skills they need for the match. It can also make the occasion less stressful as you beat the crowds.

If you do individual skills after training it’s usually referred to as extras, and it’s a great opportunity to take a little bit of time to work on little things that went wrong in the session or that you know you need to get better at. I like to think of it like this: If there is a player that has nothing to work on, then they have probably gone as far as they can in their rugby journey.

If players do decide to do some intros or extras, then searching for repetitive quality becomes the key phrase. Repeating bad habits or poor performance simply reinforces underperformance. If the mind is not switched to progress and development mode, the player may be better off not bothering at all, it’s the mindset that creates the progressive environment.

There are three other components that are really important to do more than think about as players work their way through their teen years.

Food and hydration: The physical growth during teen years is huge and needs to be supported. The right fuel going in, at the right time will always make a positive difference. The most fortunate players can be involved in the preparation of their pre match and post training food. They get to take that step beyond the now and can create healthy eating habits for life, which stands them in good stead should their rugby journey go as far as reaching an academy house or, they secure a professional contract away from home.

Rest and recovery: It’s great to be active and there are clearly benefits from youngsters participating in a range of physical activities, but it’s also important to have quality sleep and rest time. Rugby can be a big part of a player’s life, but time for your mind to be in another place has its benefits. It’s not uncommon for international players to have and take their own travel guitars on tour or involve themselves in a hobby or activity that takes them into another domain. It’s good to be able to step outside of the rugby zone.

Core and flexibility: Weights are something that young players will often seek to start as early as possible. A word of caution, never allow a youngster to lift weights without ensuring they understand and can deliver the correct technique, the purpose of that particular lift, they are not alone and that the environment is safe.

An important point to remember is that if you are going to build a bigger person, that person needs to have a strong core. If that person is going to be a rugby player, then to be most effective on the field of play that player needs flexibility. It’s worth noting that size will always be relevant to rugby in the sense that it might determine where you are best suited to play, but it should not be seen as a restriction to playing rugby. The wise player develops a broad range of skills and explores the subtleties of various positions during their journey. There may come a day when they need to decide between playing at the highest level they can achieve or playing in the position that they most want to play in.

The above is based on my observations, I am not an S&C coach, a dietitian or a paediatrician but I have witnessed the journey of many players from their early teens to the very highest levels of the game. I have worked within the England Age Grade Pathway and with England junior world cups sides for three years and had the privilege of spending time with some of the world’s best international teams France, Australia and South Africa. The points that I refer to above have been informed by my observations and are aligned with much that I have debated with some of the world's top players, coaches and managers who almost all started as those youngsters who wanted to play local club rugby. What I am really trying to say is that my comments are not qualified but I believe that they are well informed. Mike