Building Safer Rugby Players: Pre-Season Movement, Strength & Gear That Supports It

How to Prepare Young Players for the Rugby Season with Confidence, Resilience, and the Right Gear

As the rugby season approaches, many parents and coaches focus on drills, fitness, or contact skills. But the smartest preparation for youth rugby begins well before the first tackle. In fact, the off-season—especially summer—is the perfect time to build the foundation for a confident, injury-resistant player.

And that foundation starts with one simple idea: move more, in more ways.

Whether it’s football in the park, climbing, swimming, biking, or cricket, multi-sport activity develops physical literacy—the coordination, balance, and body control that prepares kids not just for rugby, but for long term athletic development (LTAD)

Before you start rugby-specific training, focus on movement variety. It’s the first (and often most important) win.

1. Physical Literacy & Long-Term Athlete Development: The Foundation for Safer, Smarter Rugby

Rugby is one of the most physically demanding sports. Players who move well—those with balance, coordination, and the ability to react and adjust—are typically more robust and better prepared to meet its physical demands.

Top movement tips for parents:

• Encourage multi-sport play to develop agility and motor skills.
  
  

• Let kids climb, crawl, jump, skip and roll (yes, safely fall too!).
  
  

• Focus on fun over structure—exploration builds resilience.
  
  

This broad movement base creates a nervous system that adapts better to contact, fatigue, and game-day chaos and robust for players later in the LTAD journey

2. Strength Training for Youth Rugby: Start With the Basics

For players aged 12 and up, summer is a key window to develop age-appropriate strength. At this stage of physical development, the body is especially responsive to building coordination, stability, and controlled power—core elements of safe and confident rugby performance.

The goal isn’t to bulk up, but to improve:

• Body control and coordination
  
  

• Force absorption and transfer during contact
  
  

• Joint stability in key areas like knees, hips, and shoulders to reduce injury risk
  
  

• Movement efficiency that supports safer, more effective play
  
  

Key areas to focus on:

• Core strength – essential for balance and safe tackling
  
  

• Lower body – strong legs and hips drive power and stability
  
  

• Shoulders and upper back – support contact posture and protect vulnerable areas
  
  

You don’t need a gym. Simple bodyweight movements like squats, push-ups, lunges, and resistance band work—done with proper technique—can go a long way in preparing young players for the physical demands of the season.

3. The Role of Neck Strength in Safer, Smarter Rugby Preparation

While many parents naturally focus on building strength in the legs and shoulders, one of the most overlooked (but vital) areas for young rugby players is the neck.

Strong neck muscles help stabilise the head during tackles and collisions, reducing excessive movement and decreasing head acceleration. This is especially important in youth rugby, where players are still developing body awareness and physical resilience.

Just like any other muscle group, the neck needs progressive overload to adapt and strengthen over time. That means gradually increasing intensity or volume — not just doing the same light exercises forever.

With our new partnership with Iron Neck UK & Europe, we’re doubling down on this key area of development. Together, we’re promoting simple, effective training that complements modern headgear and overall movement quality.

Try this basic at-home routine:

Gently press the head into your hand in all four directions (forward, backward, left, right)

Hold for 10 seconds per direction

Complete 2–3 sets, 2–3 times per week

Add into warm-ups, cool-downs, or post-match recovery

As players grow, the load can be increased using resistance bands or tools like the Iron Neck — just as you would progress squats or push-ups.

Incorporating neck strength into pre-season training is a simple yet highly effective way to help players handle the demands of contact rugby with greater control, stability, and readiness.

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4. Youth Rugby Headgear: A Smarter Piece of the Puzzle

While no headguard can prevent concussion, next-generation headgear plays a meaningful role as part of a broader preparation strategy for contact.

A well-designed headguard can:

• Provide comfort and reassurance during play

• Help reduce minor cuts, abrasions, and surface-level knocks

• Support a layered approach when combined with good technique and physical preparation

Our latest-generation headgear is built with Enkayse® technology, offering:

• Reliable performance even at body temperature

• Full-coverage impact zones with no weak points

• World Rugby Regulation 12 compliance

• Washable, customisable design made to last

Used as part of a well-rounded training and preparation plan, headgear like this adds another layer to the way we support safer play in youth rugby — not by creating overconfidence, but by improving comfort and readiness in contact situations.

5. The Safer Rugby Triangle: Skills, Strength & Smart Gear

Youth rugby safety isn’t about one thing—it’s about combining three smart elements:

• Tackle technique: Reduces risky contact positions
  

• Neck strength: Improves head control
  

• Advanced headgear: Supports confidence and comfort in contact
  
  

Each element adds value. Together, they support player development, injury risk reduction, and a better experience on the field.

The Future of Headgear Starts Here

Rugby is evolving—and so is the gear we trust on the field.

Our headguard is designed with young players in mind—built for durability, comfort, and reliable performance using Enkayse® technology, which maintains its structure and impact response even under real match conditions.

What makes it different?

✅ Enkayse® performs under pressure – no loss of structure or function at body temperature
✅ Full-coverage design – no weak spots, no compromises
✅ Built for the demands of the modern game – durable, machine washable, and customisable
✅ Backed by real-world impact testing
✅ World Rugby Approved

We don’t believe in gimmicks—just smarter design, better materials, and forward-thinking strategy.

And we’re just getting started.

The next generation of rugby deserves gear that’s as progressive as they are.

Check out the World Rugby Approved Hedkayse R5 here