RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Northern Advocate, 21 July 1923, Page 3 (Supplement)

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

PLAYER AND COACH. TRAINING IX AMERICA. George C. Hudson, an American player and university coach, who arrived in New Zealand a few weeks ago to take up an appointment in the Consular service, imparted to an interviewer some interesting impressions in regard to training. ''I would rather not attempt io criticise your standards of play," lie said, "as I am-quite new to your game. But I noticed one or two things that enable me to make something of a comparison between your Rugby ar.d American Rugby, for there is not a great difference in such essentials as kicking and tackling. Your men seem to tackle lighter than ours that is, they appear to be content to get their arms round the opponent and don't put him out of action for the movement. In open play, in the United States, an effective tackier dives at his man from a distance, and gets him somewhere about the top of the shoes. In the close work, he tackles about the knees, getting his head and shoulders into the soft part of the stomach and thighs." The visitor acceded to a request to talk about training methods, as practiced by the college and university teams in the States. "If the All Blacks and other football organisations in New Zealand, already inter-national-ly famous in the football world for their ability to 'play the game,' were to adopt and consistently follow the course of training prescribed in the American colleges antl universities, there is little doubt," he said, "that they would be an unbeatable combintion. STRICT TRAINING RULES. "In America the men begin training several weeks before the season begins. The strictest observance of the training rules is insisted upon and any int'ractioii is an offence liable to expulsion from the team. From the verj first smoking is absolutely prohibited, as well as any form of drinking, either alcoholic or otherwise,, except water or milk. As it is very valuable tli-.it a man has good wind, the coaches are very strict about this rule. In addition there arc several very good rules as to diet. Bread is the only form of pastry that is allowed to be eato;\ Cakes of all kinds are placed on the list of forbidden articles. Syrups a.id cooked fruits, sweets, ice cream and foods containing a large amount if sugar arc not allowable. During practice and the games little or no water is Allowed. At first this seems to be a hardship, but soon the players learn to do without and find that they can play a better game for tjieir abstinence. Sweet foods, in addition to having a tendency to make a man sluggish, also have a tendency to prevent a man from developing a strong wind and great stamina. A large amount of water taken during violent exercises not only is somewhat dangerous, but slow> a man up to a large extent. As a iuan needs all the advantage that he cm get, he should adopt everything that is likely to improve his g.ime. CLEAN LIVING MAKES GOOD RUGBY "All football coaches insist that the men get plenty of sleep, and they do not leave it to the judgment of the men, but prescribe the hours. The football players must be in bed it a certain hour set by the coach. This is not later than 10.30 p.m., and usually is earlier. Men who keep regular hours are found to be much more energetic than those who do not. Clean living is insisted upon during the football season; 71 ot because of morals, but for ti>e game itself. The players feel that the game is worth the best that is in them, and they do everything that they can to improve themselves. Condition ;s known to be one of the most importa.it things in the development of players, and is very easy to acquire if one is willing to adopt a few simple rules and make a few small sacrifices for the game. "In addition, there are; various means of hardening the body, so that the various impacts and falls h:ive very little effect. One of the first practices that the players get at the beginning of the season is that of tailing on the ball. They begin by falling on a motionless ball, and end by throwing the body oil a moving ball ten or fifteen feet away. This may seem dangerous, but it is found that after some practice one learns how to protect and harden the body.

AMERICAN TACKLING METHODS. "Tackling is tried out on a ' dummy.' This consists of a canvas body about the size of a human body, and is tilled with sawdust. Tackling is taught from all angles and at all speeds. The coach insists on the players tackling at a certain place, and allows very little deviation. Locking of the hands is used in tackling, and this prevents many runners from getting awav that would otherwise twi •; away. "One of the essentials of football is that a player should not tire easily. A tired player can not play his be-t, nor can he do so if he has to stop oftea to get his breath. Therefore, anything that will develop the breathing of Ihe lunus is of value in the training for football. After each practice period the players are required to run from two to three miles. If this does not produce the required results, then other means are resorted to. Iheso mcar;> usually are boxing, wrestling, and various prescribed exercises that will strengthern the whole body, as well as develop the wind."

"The condition of the body is considered so essential that coaches will not have anyone in the team who will not train. A team of mediocre players that are in condition can win from a team of good players who are in poor condition. This has been proved so often that training in football is now considered most important of all items."