Archive for April, 2009
April 23rd, 2009 | 
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This is the most important step in finding the right shoe. A running shoe that fits will be snug but not tight. Buying running shoes that are too small is a common problem. Your running shoes may need to be a half to a full size larger than your street shoes.
To check for adequate room at the top by pressing your thumb into the shoe just above your longest toe. The edge of your thumb should fit between the end of your toe and the top pf the shoe. Your heel should fit snugly into the rear of the shoe and should not slide up and down as you walk or run. Take the shoes for a test run. Most specialty runnng stores allow-even encourage-you to run down the street or around the block so that you can feel the shoes in action.
Use these guidelines in trying out a few different models. Then decide on the pair that fits the best and feels the most comfortable. And if you get them home and find some problems with them as you begin your running program, take them back. And a word for the future: Once you have found a shoe that works for you, stick with it. New models will always tempt you, but keep in mind that the right running shoes help you avoid injury. So, if your shoes fit well and feel good, and you do not have any problems with injuries, stick to a sure thing.
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Unlike other forms of football, rugby can be usefully viewed as a succession of prolonged physical engagements, either between individual players or between groups of players. Each of these engagements demands the exercise of substantial physical strength. While basic strength training should form the foundation for such engagements, there should also be a focus on developing explosive strength appropriate to the particular activity.
Tackle In a tackle situation there is great advantage in forcing the opponent, whether ball-carrier or tackler, back from the line of engagement. In order to do this effectively, the action has to be both powerful and virtually instantaneous.
In addition, ball-carriers with explosive leg drive are often able to brush past attempted tackles, while tacklers with similar attributes can forcefully secure the ball-carrier and take him to ground.
Ruck At the breakdown of play following a tackle the ability to push back or “clean out” opposing players from the ruck offers opportunities to win the contest for the ball or at least put the opposing team in a disadvantageous situation. The only effective way to win the breakdown contest is to apply very considerable force in an explosive manner.
Lineout The outcome of the lineout contest is largely dependent on how high the jumper can ascend, but also on how rapidly he can reach that point. This requires not only a very good vertical leap by the jumper, but also the ability of his support players to forcefully elevate him. Both jumping and lifting require specific forms of explosive strength.
