Why most young rugby players train wrong for their position
Here's the thing most youth coaches get wrong: they run the same fitness session for the entire squad.
A 12-year-old scrumhalf doesn't need the same programme as a 16-year-old lock. Different positions demand different speed, power, and agility profiles — and that changes massively as kids grow.
A few quick examples:
Props & locks (ages 13-16): Should be building functional strength and scrum technique, not running 5km.
Halfbacks & flyhalves: Need footwork, passing under fatigue, and decision-making speed — not maxing out on bench press.
Back three (wings & fullback): Acceleration, high-speed running mechanics, and aerial skills. Generic "agility ladders" won't cut it.
Under-10s: Should barely be specialising at all — coordination, fun, and game awareness come first.
The age and weight of the player matters just as much as their position. A 14-year-old hooker who weighs 55kg trains differently to a 14-year-old hooker who weighs 80kg.
At Ruck & Ready, every programme is built around three things: your age, your position, and your body. That's it. No generic plans.
If you're a parent or young player tired of cookie-cutter training — come check it out.
