For the vast majority, the rugby season has now come to an end. This is an opportune time to release the structure I use to program off-season training for rugby players I coach. Most importantly, my system uses a conjugate approach with a weekly plan that is split into the three key categories we want to improve:
- Neural (Speed and Power Development)
- Mechanical (Hypertrophy and Strength Development)
- Metabolic (Energy Systems Work)
Additionally outlined in Table 1 is a weekly plan, where all players will train both the Neural and Mechanical elements and then have options regarding hypertrophy training (“Armour Plating”), energy systems work (“Fitness/Fat Loss”), and off-feet fitness. The main program is Monday to Friday, with an optional training day on Saturday for players who need extra conditioning work. On this day, which I have often referred to as my Special Victims Unit (SVU), a variety of methods will be employed, from a fartlek cross-country run-through to circuits.
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
| Speed | Conditioning | Restoration & Recovery | Speed | Conditioning | Conditioning/Restoration |
| FCM lower body | FCM upper body | Hurdle mobility | FCM lower body | FCM upper body | Recovery |
| Mechanical lower body | Mechanical Upper body | Dynamic movements | Mechanical lower body | Mechanical Upper body | |
| Armor plating/off-feet fitness/circuit | Armor plating/off-feet fitness/circuit | stretching, foam rolling & massage | Armor plating/off-feet fitness/circuit | Armor plating/off-feet fitness/circuit | |
| CARE x5 lower body | CARE x5 upper body | Hydrotherapy | CARE x5 lower body | CARE x5 upper body |
Now we are going to go into more detail about exactly what is involved within each section of the program.
Off-Season Conjugate Program – Neural Work
Speed sessions should always be performed in a rested state, hence why they are performed first on Monday and then Thursday after a recovery day on Wednesday. Many years ago, I had an assistant, Luke Thornley, whom I wanted to lead the speed sessions. So, I tasked him with discovering as much as possible about what other teams were doing with their speed training.
Upon his return, he reported that every team was doing something different with regard to drills, plyometrics, and running. However, the one thing common across the board was that every team had their players running at maximal velocity for around 400-600 meters each week. Per the law of specificity, you do not get fast by running slowly. With our training, I focus primarily on acceleration, which is the most important trainable attribute in a speed program. However, I will always include maximal velocity work per Luke’s research. He provided me with a spreadsheet of options, which I still call upon today, even 15 years on.
The French Contrast Method
The French Contrast Method (FCM) is the best method to “surf” the force-velocity curve within one session. This is achieved by including aspects of maximal force, strength-speed, speed-strength, plyometrics, and ballistic movements for a similar movement pattern in a circuit-style format. Table 2 (see below) lists various examples of French Contrast training sessions I use with my rugby players. I instruct them to mix and match by selecting within the options I have put together, so long as they select from an A, B, C, and D in that sequence of movements to maintain the integrity of the session.
| Vertical | Horizontal | Knee Dominant | Hip Dominant | |
| French Contrast Method 1 | 1A: Push Press 1B: Kneeling MB Push 1C: Landmine Split Jerk 1D: MB Drops | 1A: Bench Press 1B: Drop Push Ups 1C: DB Incline Bench Press 1D: Assisted Explosive Push Ups | 1A: Back Squat 1B: Box Jumps 1C: Banded Jump Squats 1D: Band-Assisted Vertical Jumps | 1A: Deadlift 1B: Repeat Hurdle Jumps 1C: DB Hang Clean 1D: Assisted Long Jumps |
| French Contrast Method 2 | 1A: Military Press 1B: Seated MB Vertical Push 1C: DB Push Press 1D: Assisted Clap Push Ups | 1A: Incline Bench Press 1B: Jump Push Ups 1C: Banded Bench Press 1D: Assisted MB Crossover Push Ups | 1A: Split Squat 1B: Box Hops 1C: Banded Step Up 1D: Band Assisted Borzov Hops | 1A: Hip Thrust 1B: Broad Jumps 1C: Snatch Grip High Pull in Rack 1D: Band Assisted Hops |
| French Contrast Method 3 | 1A: Split Jerk 1B: Feet Elevated Plyo Push Ups 1C: KB Savickas Press 1D: Band Vertical Push | 1A: Floor Press 1B: MB Chest Pass 1C: Bench Throws 1D:1/2 Kneeling MB Rotational Put | 1A: Zercher Squat 1B: Knees to Feet Jumps for height 1C: Banded Box Squat 1D: Tuck Jumps | 1A: Deficit Deadlift 1B: Bench Blasts 1C: Hang Clean 1D: Ice Skater |
| French Contrast Method 4 | 1A: Log Press 1B: Standing MB Slam 1C: DB Steep Incline Press 1D: Kneeling MB Push | 1A: Swiss Bar Bench Press 1B: UB Depth Jumps 1C: Dips 1D: Wheelbarrow Hops | 1A: Weight Release Box Squat 1B: Depth Jumps 1C: Banded Step Ups 1D: In Place Hops | 1A: Prowler® Push 1B: Knees to Feet Jumps for distance 1C: Band-Assisted Deadlift 1D: Bounds |
I prescribe a four-week block and have the players use the same movements throughout the four-week block as the loading scheme will undulate. The progression scheme that I have found most effective for this purpose is as follows:
- Week One: 3 x 5/10
- Week Two: 3 x 3/6
- Week Three: 3 x 4/8
- Week Four: 3 x 2/4
Here the first figure on the reps side is for the weighted movements (A & C), and the second (higher) number is for the unloaded movements (B & D).
Off-Season Conjugate Program – Mechanical Work
The mechanical elements of the programs focus on improving both strength and size. The sets and reps for this four-week block are as follows (see Table 3). Please note that these refer to the work sets only and that players are once again instructed to stick with the same movements for the full training block.
Sets & Reps
| Week/Movements Training Goal | Mechanical Strength & Bilateral | Mechanical Size & Unilateral |
| 1 | 2 x 6 @ 75+% | 2 x 12 |
| 2 | 2 x 4 @ 85+% | 2 x 8 |
| 3 | 2 x 5 @ 80+% | 2 x 10 |
| 4 | 2 x 2 @ 95+% | 2 x 4 |
The selection of the primary movement for the mechanical section of the program will depend on what was performed as part of the French Contrast Method (FCM) section. For example, if a player selected the knee-dominant FCM workout during a lower body workout, they would select a bilateral hip/hinge dominant movement to begin the mechanical lower body program and vice versa (see Table 4).
Mechanical
| Lower Body | Upper Body |
| 1 x Bilateral Squat OR 1 x Bilateral Hinge | 1 x Horizontal Bilateral Upper Body Push super-setted with Horizontal Bilateral Pull OR 1 x Vertical Bilateral Upper Body Push super-setted with Vertical Bilateral Pull |
| 1 x Unilateral Squat or Hinge (Different plane compared to first lower body movement) | 1 x Unilateral Upper Body Push super-setted with Upper Body Pull (Different plane compared to first upper body movements) |
Next in the program is where the player can select (after input from their coach) what they need to address their main weak point. This will either be hypertrophy work (Armor Plating) or energy systems work (circuits or extra off-feet conditioning). Sets, reps, and methods can vary here, and I am continually updating this list as I come across new ideas. Also, never be scared to ask the athlete for input on what has worked for them.
In Table 5 (below), I list of few of my favorite methods for the “Armor Plating” section of the workout with regard to each body part.
| Legs (Quadzilla/Wowstrings) | Chest (Pectoral Punishment) | Back (Big Back Maniac) | Shoulders (Boulder Shoulders) | Arms (Arm Race) |
| 1a. Front Squat (6) 1b. Reverse Lunge (12) 1c. Goblet Squat (25) | Triple Drop Incline Dumbbell Bench Press (45/30/15) | Head Supported Yates Row s/s Landmine Kroc Row | 1a. Savickas Press (6) 1b. Dips (12) 1c. Band Dumbbell Laterals (21’s) | EZ Barbell Curl s/s Swiss Bar Close Grip Bench Press |
| 1a. Back Squat (6) 1b. Leg Press (12) 1c. Leg Extension (25) | 3-way Standing Cable Flys Complex: Low to High, High to Low, Horizontal to Floor | 1a. Pullovers (6) 1b. Pulldowns to Chest (12) 1c. Straight Arm Pull Downs (25) | Shoulder Press Ladder on Hammer Press 1 – 10 alternate sides | Seated Dumbbell Hammer Cur s/s Skull Crushers |
| 1a. Romanian Deadlift (6) 1b. Hip Thrust (12) 1c. Reverse Hyperextension (25) | Mechanical Advantage Push-ups Complex: Feet Elevated, Normal, Hands Elevated | Mechanical Advantage Chins Complex: Wide/Shoulder/Close | Dumbbell Lateral Raises s/s Bradford Press | Incline Dumbbell Curls s/s Lying Dumbbell Rolling Extensions |
| 1a. Trap Bar Deficit Deadlift (6) 1b. Back Extension (12) 1c. Banded Good Morning (25) | Mechanical Advantage Dips: Ring Dips, Parallel Bar Dips, Bench Dips | 1a. Muscle Snatch (6) 1b. Inverted Row (12) 1c. Face Pulls (25) | 3-Way Shoulder Raise 1a. Dumbbell Press (6) 1b. Seated Dumbbell Lateral (12) 1c. Cable Bent-over Rear Delt Raise (25) | Dumbbell Twist Curls s/s Low Incline Tate Presses |
Metabolic (Energy Systems Work)
If a player instead needs to focus on their conditioning or improving their body composition, then the Armor Plating work will be replaced with Circuit Training. Here the goal is to improve overall work capacity and increase energy expenditure (especially if the goal is fat loss). Below I have listed some of my favorite circuits to use in this segment of the workout—a more extensive list of variations can be sent to you upon request.
Example Circuits:
Beastly Complex (performed for 6 rounds):
- Deadlift/Hang Clean/Push Press/Front Squat/Bent Row/RDL, 6 reps on each followed by
- 2km Watt Bike or 750m Row or 500m Ski Erg
Canterbury (performed for 5 rounds):
- 50 m Sled Push/DB Hang Clean/Hand Release Pushups/Renegade Row/See Saw Shoulder Press/KB Swing, 5 reps on each on loaded movement
Filthy Five (performed for 5 rounds):
- Push Press/Band Box Squats/Clean from Blocks/Band Bench Press/Power Tackler/500 m Row
Strongman (performed for 4 rounds):
- Zercher Carry 25m
- Waiter’s Walk 25m
- Log or Axle Bar Clean & Press x 5
- Suitcase Carry 25m
- Bear Crawl with weight plate 25m
Off-feet conditioning options will be provided based on the needs of the athlete and also what equipment a player has access to.
Off-Season Conjugate Program – CARE Work
The final component of the program comprises the Core Accessory Rehab Exercises (CARE) movements. This section is important for the long-term health of the athlete. As Louie Simmons said, “You do more prehab so you can avoid rehab.”
There are a plethora of options available to you, but in Table 6 below, I have included some of my most favored and productive to get you started.
CARE Program 2 x 8 - 20 reps, Carries 20-40m, time 30-60 seconds
| Grip | Calves/Feet | Yoga |
| Kettlebell grip training | Single Leg Calf-Raise | Yoga for Athletes |
| Bucket of rice | Seated Calf Raise | |
| The Towel Pull-up | Towel Scrunch |
Conclusion
I believe this to be the most comprehensive program for an off-season athlete I have ever published. If you follow it as shown, you or your athletes will make progress in all aspects of physical performance, which is what conjugate training is all about.
Ashley Jones has worked in three professional sports across 30 years and four continents. He was awarded the NSCA's Professional Coach of the Year in 2016. Ashley holds his CSCS (Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist) since 1988 and is an honorary lecturer in the School of Therapeutic Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, SA.
I've been able to utilise a lot of what you have taught through your articles successfully with the rugby club and players I work with here in the U.K.
I'll need to read this a few times and file it to read again before the start of the next off-season.
Thank you for all the information you provide.
If you are ever in the U.K there will be a beer or two waiting here for you :)
-Jason
-JG