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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