Edinburgh Rugby players were involved in a pre-season training practice with a difference today.
They were taking part in racketball, an off-shoot of squash, and another sport to benefit from the Scottish Government's Cashback for Communities programme.
Edinburgh's head fitness coach Andy Boyd is currently putting a number of players who were not involved in Scotland's summer tour of Argentina through their paces at the start of pre-season training.
Speaking at Heriot-Watt University's Riccarton campus today, Boyd explained: "Players are currently expected to be training for around 40 weeks of the year, with the playing season now running from September through to June. The challenge is to progress player development and performance during this grueling schedule, with the key to success being the pre-season period.
"The focus during the early stages of pre-season has to be on building solid foundations, to help carry players through the demands of the season. This means the focus must be on physical development and basic skill acquisition."
Boyd believes that keeping the skill training basic and avoiding too much tactical input allows the focus to be placed on the physical demands, avoiding overloading the players. Alternative skill training is often implemented to elevate the mental strains of the season.
Boyd said: "The idea is that the chosen activities will mirror or mimic movements or skills associated with rugby. However these activities will be performed in a different environment or with different rules and tools - thereby challenging the players in a different but relevant manner.
"In recent seasons we have seen alternative skill coaching taking the form of mixed martial arts, wrestling, tennis, squash, basketball, volleyball and even rock climbing.
"Our aim is to take small skill elements or movements associated with these sports and transfer them to rugby."
Working with Scottish Squash & Racketball through Edinburgh's partnership with the Scottish Institute of Sport, the idea behind exposing the players to racketball is that it will assist in areas such as footwork, balance, body-control and hand-eye co-ordination.
Maggie Lawrie, racketball manager for Scottish Squash, welcomed the involvement of the Edinburgh players.
She said: "Racketball is played on a standard squash court and uses a larger bouncier ball and a racket with a larger head making the game easier to play. Racketball players are therefore quick to enjoy a competitive game and a great workout.
"The greater aerobic element of racketball seems to be just what Edinburgh Rugby were looking for, along with the opportunity to try out skills that could also be part of a rugby game."
Both rugby and racketball are benefiting from the Scottish Government's Cashback for Communities initiative whereby proceeds seized from criminal activity are reinvested back into the community.
Edinburgh season tickets are on sale now! Benefits include: - Seating in the most central sections in the stand - Entry to ALL eleven Magners League home games at Murrayfield - Entry to ALL three Heineken Cup pool games at Murrayfield - FREE entry to the away leg of the 1872 Cup derby match between Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh Rugby at Firhill Arena AND MUCH MORE!
CASHBACK FOR COMMUNITITIES - The Scottish Government's CashBack for Communities scheme is funded from the proceeds of crime. The ill-gotten gains of serious organised criminals are taken from them and reinvested in our communities to make a real difference to the lives of young people throughout Scotland. - Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill has announced millions of pounds funding to support football, rugby and basketball activities for youngsters in every part of the country as well as support for youth projects and arts and culture projects. With more initiatives to come, the various strands of the scheme are already giving our young people the opportunity to realise their potential and be all they can be.
