The sun shone on the Tignes Rugby Academy Day 2, when the focus turned to the key fundamentals of high performance plus a little lighter entertainment!
First up, the players hit the world class Tignespace facility (where the 2016 group had watched Olympic Champion & World Record holder Renaud Lavillenie practice!). The session ran through an age appropriate stretching session for high performing rugby players. In addition, the players completed a range of reaction and speed tests run by S&C and physical trainer Cathal.
After that, it was on to the Cantona pitch for a session on Game Management. Led by the four wise men (Philippe, Johne, Denis & Francois), there were some exceptional handling skills on display.
That was the end of the heavy lifting for the day. The group headed back to the UCPA for a two out recovery sleep (pretty important in the world of the pro player). After another excellent lunch, there was a recovery walk around the fantastic setting of Tignes, at 2,100M above sea level. You could say a recovery walk with a difference!
The afternoon saw the focus shift to Tignes Le Lac and freestyle sport chosen by the players – beach football, table tennis or volleyball. The top trainers from Day 1 got to wear their luminous yellow Shadowman Sports training bibs in honour of their efforts.
The evening classroom ‘High Performance Clinic’ session centered on how STATSports GPS works and the data that players can expect to get. The presentation also ran through the top academy player’s approach to goal setting, preparation and recovery.
Post dinner, the players joined the other UCPA camp attendees for a fun game of miming and interpretative dance (see our Instagram story!). Finally it was back to the shared rooms for chats and more well earned sleep.
Wednesday and Day 3 was due to ramp up the ante again, with Strength & Conditioning, pitch sessions for Game Management and Core Skills, plus a street practice session with the world class Shadowballs.
