Many major rugby organizations have made the difficult decision to postpone all rugby activities due to COVID-19. The health and safety of our players is our #1 priority and we are respecting the decision. While we are not encouraging group training at this time, we do think it is possible to stay involved, engaged, and motivated to keep up with rugby during this time. Our goal is to be ready for rugby once we can resume our normal routine!

Many of us are in the swift transition of remote learning or beginning to work from home. We believe that you can use many of work-from-home productivity principles and apply them to a “Rugby From Home” plan. The Cleveland Rugby Coalition is teaming up with athletic trainers and certified coaches from the local rugby community to bring you at home exercises, individual and small group skill work/drills, recipes, and general rugby 101 throughout this time. Today, we’ll talk about a few tips that we think will help make the transition easier.

5 Tips for Staying Productive While You "Rugby From Home”

1. Set and maintain your training schedule hours.
While our teams are not mandating training during this time - we do feel that you will greatly benefit and be more likely to stick to these plans with a dedicated schedule. For example, if you are used to team training every Monday and Wednesday evening from 5pm-7pm, then keep that time dedicated to training.

2. Create dedicated workout areas.
Find space in your home that will minimize distractions and let you focus. Use a room in your house that you can either leave set up as a mini home-gym or easily arrange to allow for in-home exercises. If you can, use a room with a window to let in some sunlight and fresh air. Make the space your own and keep it clean. Here are a few home-gym essentials that don’t take up much space.

3. Set goals for yourself every session. Start with a plan.
Without our typical group training and teammates by your side to help keep you accountable, you must take responsibility for yourself during your sessions. Some teams will be creating “live webinar” type group workouts or sending out weekly training plans. If not, a great way to do this is for yourself is to set a goal for each session and focus on your output. Start with a plan and stick to it. Will you run 2 miles and then finish with a body weight circuit? Will you complete an hour of online learning through World Rugby? Now is the time to test your knowledge of the game and practice self discipline.

4. Eat Healthy.
With everyone switching to remote learning and working, it will be a major adjustment to our everyday life schedules. One of the first routines we lose during a schedule change is how/when/what we eat. Be mindful of what you consume during this time and try to focus on eating healthy. Here is a link to working from home meal prepping and a recipe for Healthy Shamrock Shakes !

5. Check-in online with your teammates.
Schedule check-ins with your your teammates via team apps to see how they are keeping up with the process. Together you can share what you've been focusing on with individual training, skill work, workout playlists, rugby videos, recipes, etc! This is a great way to help keep each other accountable and motivated.

Cleveland Rugby - Outdoor Weekly Challenge 3/16

Run the Fort Hill Loop 4x in a row at Rocky River Reservation, South. Start your run going up at the base of the stairs. This trail, when completed 4x, = 3 miles.

Does your team or club have a go-to trail or team run you’d like to share with the rugby community? Or would you like to submit a challenge? Write to us and let us know!

Cheers - and stay healthy!

-The Cleveland Rugby Coalition