Sunday, 24 February 2013

Interview with Andy Titterrell


A while ago I had the great fortune of meeting one of my favorite rugby players in my position, Andy Titterrell played rugby like a modern day hooker today, he was in effect an extra flanker but solid and effective in the set game too. It would be fair to say while growing up he was a player I tried to model my own game on. Now when most people meet the people they aspire to be they often are disappointed, not this time. Myself and Andy were both instructing on The Foundry Heavy Weekend a couple of years ago, the weekend was a success. Lots of trainers took away some great information and I walked away having taught some great trainers and met one of my childhood heroes.

I stayed in touch with Andy and he agreed to my request of an interview on his thoughts of youth development. So here is the typed up version of Andy responses.



First a bit of background on Andy:

Honors:
* British & Irish Lions
   
* England Capped
   
* England A
   
* England A Church Hill Cup Winners 2003, 2007 and 2010
   
* Invitational Teams
   
* Help for Heroes 7”s
   
* Premiership Champions Sale Sharks 2006
   
* European Challenge Cup Winners 2002 and 2005
   
* Leeds Carnegie 2009 – 2011
   
* Gloucester Rugby Club 2007-2009
   
* Sale Sharks 2001-2007, 2012/13- Present


 Qualifications:
*  ASCA Qualified (Australian Strength and Conditioning Association)
   
*  Personal Trainer Level 2 and 3
   
*  Level 2 Body Massage
   
*  Level 2 RFU Coaching Award

Now Andy also runs his own Youth Strength and Conditioning program and is heavily involved in academy training and development.


Q: WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECT OF TRAINING FOR AN ASPIRING YOUNG RUGBY PLAYER?

Without doubt listen to those that are around you. Ask questions and be prepared to take constructive criticism. You'll be surprised at what your take in and you learn not to take the sport or your career for granted.



Q: WHAT DO YOU THINK MOST YOUTH PLAYERS COULD WORK ON TO GET THEM NOTICED?

The basics. Within the game some moves break down cause of being able to catch and pass at speed and with accuracy. Also, their continued development within strength and conditioning. Everyone will increase at different speeds, but the game is built around different sized athletes.



Q: DO YOU THINK YOUTH DEVELOPMENT HAS COME ON IN THE LAST 5 YEARS?

I believe it has with strength and conditioning but I still see many coaches train guys out of the field for far too long. Just because they are younger doesn't necessary mean they can train for longer. 



Q: YOU ARE HEAVILY INVOLVED WITH YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, WHAT IS THE BIGGEST HURDLE MOST YOUTH PLAYERS HAVE TO OVERCOME?

Learning how to be responsible away from training and making sacrifices. A lot of players I come across love the idea of being a professional rugby player and think talent alone will get you there. 



Q: WHAT NUTRITIONAL ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR YOUNG PLAYERS?

Stay away from fast foods and don't fill your plate so it's overloading. 


Q: YOU’VE BEEN ON COUNTLESS TOURS, IN YOUR CAREER WHAT TOUR WAS THE HIGHLIGHT?

Every tour I have been on has been a fantastic experience. The 2 that spring to mind was when I got capped against new Zealand and also The British & Irish Lions tour to NZ as well. I'll always remember my first tour to Canada and Japan. It was real successful and full of a great bunch of players and management.


Q: DO YOU SEE TOURS AS A CHANCE TO BOND AND CREATE A TEAM ETHOS?

It's hard to get that team feeling within a short space of time but because everyone has played with and against each other before the guys get on well with each other. 



Q: WHAT DO YOU THINK OF ENGLANDS CHANCES IN 2015?

 If they continue to improve and show development in the following seasons then they stand as good a chance as any. Stuart Lancaster has brought some guidance and accountability back to the side and the players look as though they are enjoying themselves. 


Q: PREFER TO SCORE A TRY OR MAKE A BIG HIT?

Big hit, it's what I love about the game.


Q: DID YOU COME THROUGH THE RANKS OF THE YOUTH ENGLAND SET UP? IE U18’S, U21’S?

I played in every age group of the England set up from youth to senior. The only side I never got to represent were the 7's!


Q: WHO HAS THE BEST WORK ETHIC OF ANY PLAYER YOU HAVE PLAYED WITH OR AGAINST?

I've played with and against some outstanding individuals but probably the one player who is also my best mate has to be Gareth Delve. His attitude on the field is first class and leads by example. Very physical and never takes a backwards step in anything he does. His only downside is his time keeping!


Q: WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS THE KEY TO BEING THE BEST PLAYER YOU CAN BE?

Dedication and desire. As a player and coach I believe you can't teach this. It has to come from the athlete. They either want to succeed or they don't! If you never win anything in your career you know how hard you've worked to try and make it happen, others give up.


Q: YOU HAVE ONE TRAINING SESSION IN THE GYM… WHATS IT GOING TO BE?

Without doubt legs. 

Thanks Andy good luck with your rugby career and the strength and conditioning career as well! If you would like to get in touch with Andy his details are below.




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