Monday, January 23, 2006
A comped CARNIVAL Cruise (Baja MX / Bahamas)
From: ComplimentaryCruise <timetocruise@justopinions.com>
Subject: A comped CARNIVAL Cruise (Baja MX / Bahamas)
Date: Fri, 20 Jan 2006 16:20:52 EST
He suggests that out-of-season there is a need for "multiple high intensity low volume work outs to improve muscular hypertrophy and strength gains," while in-season training should be "high intensity (90% of one rep max) low volume 45 minute heavy work-outs." He advocates the use of modified Olympic lifts for explosive workoutsboth in and out of season. And when I say explosive, I don't believe that moving light weights fast is explosive, it needs to be heavy weight explosively. ... Gym work-outs are there to make you strong and explosive, they are not there to duplicate how you feel after a rugby game. In another post to the Supertraining group today, Tatalias drew attention to the effect of changes in the laws of rugby over the past decade. He maintained that while the number of scrums in a game had decreased dramatically, lineouts had become increasingly important with an emphasis on "good vertical jump for the catcher and excellent explosive lifting strength for the lifters (props and flanks)." He also asserts that "the number of very fast explosive actions such as cleaning out opponents around the ruck have increased as well the emphasis on much more explosive tackling (to prevent the runner crossing the gain line)"; which he compares to run blocking by fullbacks and linebacker type hit tackling in American football. Finally he suggests that rolling mauls now allow for more obstruction and thus can last for more than 60 seconds. Perhaps not surprisingly, I find Nick Moraco's arguments quite compelling and further evidence of a groundswell that is slowly but inexorably moving rugby toward an emphasis on serious strength development, particularly in the direction of explosiveness. rugbyexplosive strengthrugby strength posted by Bryce Ramon at 6:06 PM 1 comments Connects to this post Tuesday, January 10, 2006 McKenzie says no to Wallabies job - for now Ewen McKenzie's decision to withdraw his application for the Wallabies coaching position highlights a couple of interesting issues. Firstly it draws attention to how unusual it is for the position to be filled by an ex-Wallaby player. To my knowledge there have been only three: Bryan Palmer, John Solomon and Dave Brockhoff. So it is 26 years since Australia has had an ex-international as coach. McKenzie, of course, had a very long and distinguished incumbency of the Wallaby tight-head position. rugbySydney UniversityScrumTruk posted by Bryce Ramon at 12:30 PM 3 comments Connects to this post Thursday, December 29, 2005 Introducing the ScrumTruk Rugby Strength Builder The ScrumTruk was the first machine developed by MyoQuip Pty Ltd. Originally designed specifically for rugby forwards, it converts the vertical resistance of gravity into resistance in the horizontal plane, which is where the rugby forward operates. Forward dominance is the platform on which rugby success is built. In establishing dominance, the crucial factor is the ability of the forwards to deliver pushing power and to withstand the counter-force generated by the opposing pack. In exercising with ScrumTruk, the lower spine adopts moderate curvature necessary for effective pushing and avoidance of lower back strain. This position also triggers isometric contraction of the stabilising muscles of the pelvic and abdominal regions. For open field play, ScrumTruk develops the leg drive essential in both attacking and defensive engagements. Its use is therefore recommended for both backs and forwards. The most novel feature of the ScrumTruk is its use of MyoQuip’s patented QuadTorq technology, which permits full-range concentric and eccentric loading. posted by Bryce Ramon at 6:14 PM 2 comments Connects to this post Previous Posts * "All backs ... over 105kg" - is this the future of rugby? * Nick Moraco on explosive strength training for rugby * McKenzie says no to Wallabies job - for now * Rugby - the most strength-oriented code of football * ScrumTruk breaks 400kg barrier * Testing MyoQuip prototypes at Sydney University * Introducing the ScrumTruk Rugby Strength Builder Although I am not really familiar with the rugby history of other nations, it would appear that the Australian situation is by no means unique. Most international coaches have not played at the top level. I would be grateful if someone can post details for any of the other rugby playing countries. The other point of note is the suggestion that the Australian Rugby Union is attempting to specify and impose a particular structure on the new coach. It has been reported that McKenzie was concerned that the proposed structure involved "an armada of assistants" and queried whether it would be "an orthodox coaching job." Notify Blogger about objectionable content. What does this mean? Blogger Get your own blogFlag BlogNext blog BlogThis! MyoQuip - Unique perspectives on resistance training Discussion of MyoQuip's range of fundamentally innovative equipment for resistance training. Commentary on sport-specific variable resistance technology. Commentary on rugby football and other interests. Sunday, January 15, 2006 "All backs ... over 105kg" - is this the future of rugby? In a comment on the post titled, "Rugby - the most strength-oriented code of football," Nick Moraco writes: all backs should weigh in over 105Kg and loose forwards 115kg and tight forwards at least 125 plus ... always capable of great speed of course. Now there's a brave call, and one that should spark some controversy. Personally, I'm in broad agreement with him, as I indicate in my reply to Nick's comment. What do others think? rugby posted by Bryce Ramon at 2:29 PM 2 comments Connects to this post Saturday, January 14, 2006 Nick Moraco on explosive strength training for rugby I have just come across a very interesting post by Nick Moraco in the IRB Forums from March last year. This was a contribution to a long thread addressing the issue of why South African teams had been so unsuccessful in Super 12 competitions. Nick Moraco suggested that when conditioning coaches observe some of their forwards standing with hands on knees trying to catch their breath, they conclude that the players need more aerobic type conditioning; but he maintains that this "further exacerbates the problem. When in truth the issue is that greater levels of strength are needed, better anaerobic conditioning and lastly sprint endurance." Tatalias's view is that the players are tired because they have to recruit a relatively high percentage of their muscular strength in each encounter. He contrasts a forward who can squat 120kg with another whose squat is 200kg. The first player may have to use all his strength to push the opposition while the other might be using only 60% of his strength. The player with strength reserve will be stronger at the end of the game and still have energy to exert on physically over powering the opposition as well as energy to marshal troops maintain discipline and minimise mental errors. It is interesting that one member of the selection panel for the position is Rod McQueen who in his tenure as Wallaby coach pioneered the use of multiple specialist assistants. This approach reached its apotheosis - or more correctly its nadir - in the hordes of functionaries who accompanied Clive Woodward's Lions to New Zealand. The Wallabies are just a single team, therefore requiring "an orthodox coaching job." In any event decisions about the organizational structure of the coaching team should be the province of the head coach, not the ARU bureaucrats or board. After all, he is the one whose head rolls if the team is not sufficiently successful. rugbyWallabies posted by Bryce Ramon at 11:48 AM 3 comments Connects to this post Monday, January 02, 2006 Rugby - the most strength-oriented code of football Rugby players spend considerably more playing time in physical contact and contest with opponents than players in other forms of football. Much of this contact involves extended grappling and wrestling, but what is also characteristic of rugby is the amount of time spent attempting to drive forward under loads considerably heavier than bodyweight. Obviously this is so in the scrum and maul, but also at the tackle. Both ball-carrier and tackler may strive to drive one another backward for an extended time after engagement. American football and rugby league are also primarily collision sports, but their tackles tend to terminate much more quickly. posted by Bryce Ramon at 2:58 PM 1 comments Connects to this post Friday, December 30, 2005 Testing MyoQuip prototypes at Sydney University MyoQuip is fortunate to have access to a comprehensive gym facility for testing the prototypes of its various machines. Early in 2004 the first version of the ScrumTruk was installed at Sydney University's Arena Gymnasium. Since then successive prototypes and models have been tested there. Sydney University Sport currently has 250 athletes on scholarship across a wide range of sports. Their strength training is supervised by Martin Harland, a highly-regarded sports scientist who has worked with a number of Australian professional sporting teams. Martin also has direct responsibility for the University Rugby Club's EDS program. Currently there are 70 players in the Elite Development Squad. Apart from their rugby they do intensive weight training for eleven months of the year. For the past two playing seasons the ScrumTruk has been an integral part of their programs. The 2005 season was the most successful in the Club's 142-year history. Premierships were won by five of its eight teams, including First Grade, Second Grade and First Colts. Across the grades the Club's players consistently drew comment for their size and physicality and ability to dominate at the scrum and maul. During the current off-season the EDS players are continuing to use the ScrumTruk but are also working with prototypes of three new machines that will be released in the near future. These are the JumpTruk (for improving lineout lifting); the HipneeFlex (for developing hip and knee flexors); and the LegDriver (a supine leg press with plyometric characteristics). All three machines utilise QuadTorq technology. * MyoQuip - unique perspectives on strength-increasing equipment * Coaches' Infoservice - Rugby Science * Enforcer Rugby Scrum Machines * IRB (International Rugby Board) Forums * Iron Rugby - High Contact Rugby Training * Rugby Union - World Rugby Connects * Rugga World - SA-based Blog * Sydney University Sport MyoQuip Users o Auckland Blues o CA Brumbies o Clongowes Wood College, Co Kildare o HSBC Waratahs o Northampton Saints o Qantas Wallabies o Queensland Reds o St Aloysius' College, Sydney o Sydney Grammar School o Sydney University Rugby o Trinity Grammar School, Sydney Name:Bryce Ramon Location:Sydney, Australia Bryce Ramon is a retired academic who has been honorary President of Sydney University Sport for 15 years. With his brother Doug he began developing the ScrumTruk machine in early 2004, and this led to the formation of MyoQuip Pty Ltd to exploit the QuadTorq technology. Powered by Blogger Recognition of the importance of physical strength has led to a tendency for rugby selectors to favour increasingly heavier players even for backline positions. A modern professional rugby team is likely to average over 100kg bodyweight, compared with less than 95kg and less than 90kg for rugby league and Australian football respectively. Increased bodyweight appears to confer no advantage in soccer. No valid size comparison can be made with players in American football. Its use of specialist teams means that individual players are only on the field for limited periods and therefore really massive players can be employed for the more static areas of engagement. For professional rugby, players are often chosen on the basis of their size and apparent strength but are then not really expected to work to become significantly stronger. Much strength training in rugby appears to have the aim of generating hypertrophy - increasing muscle size and thus body mass - or of maintaining strength levels rather than seriously exploring the potential for markedly increased power. Soccer, Australian football and rugby league are continuous-flow type games, whereas rugby and, to a much greater extent, American football are characterised by frequent stoppages and thus require lower levels of aerobic fitness. But I see little evidence that rugby coaches have fully realised the potential this provides to gain a competitive edge by requiring their players, backs and forwards, to seriously train for strength. I would suggest that, given the development of very well-drilled coordinated defensive lines, the next stage in the evolution of rugby is likely to involve a concentration on the identification of and development of heavy, very mobile players who possess very high-range explosive strength. rugby explosive strength posted by Bryce Ramon at 6:29 PM 2 comments Connects to this post Saturday, December 31, 2005 ScrumTruk breaks 400kg barrier New South Wales Waratahs rugby centre Tom Carter is claiming a new record for shunting the ScrumTruk. Yesterday Carter performed four reps with 400kg (880lbs) in strict form (90°-90° start to full lockout) from the No. 4 pin setting. Tom Carter, who is recognised as one of the most dedicated trainers in Australian rugby, is chasing the poundages with heavy strength work in the lead-up to the start of the Super 14 competition in February. It is a sign of changing times when we have backs, the show-ponies of rugby, out-grunting the forwards in the gym. rugbyScrumTrukKatie, Hey Nic. Cool! I called Jeff and we are totally in. He loves wine. In fact, we are thinking of going to Napa Valley on our honeymoon. So, we will be there. Do you need me to bring anything? Cups, napkins, chips, games? Well, let me know. TGIF!! Give me a call later. xoxo, Nic -----Original Message----- From: Katie Haggerty [katiemommy02 @yahoo.com] Sent: Wednesday, January 18, 2006 8:56 AM To: Nicole Henderson [nikkihenderson2001 @aol.com] Subject: Shopping & Parent's Anniversary Party Nicole, Hey babe! What's going on? Have any big plans this weekend? How is everything going with you and Jeff? I wanted to invite you over this weekend. Tom and I are hosting a small party at the house. It's gonna be pretty low-key, but we are going to basically do a wine tasting. We have a sommelier coming over and we will have appetizers. You can try the wines and if you like any of them, the sommelier will have them there for you to buy and take home. I'm also inviting: 1. Frank and Gina 2. Kristen and George 3. Krystal and Lucas 4. Charlie and Lisa 5. Katrina and Johnny It's gonna start at 7pm on Saturday. Do you think you guys might be available to come? We might go out afterwards, but nothing it definite. We are making solid plans to go out... in fact, we might just go to the movies and see "Underworld: Evolution". Tom thinks Kate Beckinsdale is totally HOT. lol. Well, let me know. I know it's last minute, but hope you can come. Smiles, Katie User Name Password Log-In Forgot password?Dear Friends, If you cannot view the images in this message, enable images or visit here to see this newsletter.
