Friday, August 26, 2016

The Nuances of Rugby with Brendan Triplett

The Ins and Outs of Rugby

If you have never followed the game of rugby, this sport may at times seem either amusing or confusing. After all, what other sport would have a situation that would call for a scrum, which is an unusual pitching of the forces of one team against another by the forwards of each team connecting together as one unit through interlocking their arms and then dropping their heads down and ramming forward into the other team which is similarly bound together, all with the idea of gaining possession of the rugby ball and then kicking it backwards towards the rest of their team.

One person who has a keen understanding and appreciation of the sport and art of rugby is Brendan Triplett. While Brendan loves to write about this game for other fans and for newbies interested in learning more of the fascinating sport, he also recalls the many years during high school and college when he was on the field and in the scrums in efforts to help push his team to victory. Even when he joined the United States Army,rising quickly to infantry sergeant, it was not long before he got ad hoc teams together and taught them about the fun and beauty of this wonderful game. Many of his troops quickly saw how much military training and rugby training were alike, so needless to say, many of them took to rugby like a duck does to water.

Brendan Triplett still says that those Army years were the most special in his life. After he was honorably discharge with a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star, Brendan Triplett stays in the game of rugby by writing about it as a journalist. Readers have come to greatly appreciate his perspective and can see that they are reading about the game through the eyes of a real rugby player. See for yourself and learn about rugby: you can find Brendan Triplett on Facebook and read his writings at his blog.

Friday, August 19, 2016

Brendan Triplett Loves Rugby

Getting into the Game of Rugby

As a former player and an eternally avid fan, Brendan Triplett sees many parallels between life and the game of rugby. Often seemingly brutal and forceful, once in the midst and flow of this game a player also experiences the art and poetry of this rather rugged and manly sport. Sometimes, as in life, when the going is particularly tough you simply hunker down and push ahead, and then in that effort, there are moments when the obstacle that has been pushed against simply seems to evaporate and all of a sudden, one is running, almost flying, without any effort or resistance.

For Brendan Triplett, this is the beauty and totality of rugby. Those who have neither participated in nor watched the game at any length can capture the subtlety of play, but with a little guidance and education, you can learn to fully appreciate the nuances of rugby. There are good reasons why Brendan Triplett is particularly qualified to offer his insights and point of view to rugby. Ever since his teens, Brendan Triplett has been on the field and in the middle of scrums while bringing his all-out effort to contribute to a winning match. From high school and through college, this was Brendan Triplett’s favorite pastime.

Even when he joined the United States Army, Brendan could see parallels between the discipline and teamwork of the military and rugby, and he contributed the experiences he gained on the playing field to his commitment to the Army and quickly reached the rank of infantry sergeant.

Upon his honorable discharge from the United States Army, Brendan Triplett was honored to also carry away a Purple Heart and Bronze Star medal. While he can no longer be on the rugby field, he stays in the game by writing about this inspiring sport, bringing his knowledge and field experience to the writing table.

To gain greater appreciation for the great sport of rugby, you can like Brendan Triplett on Facebook and follow his blog.

Wednesday, August 10, 2016

Core Workout For Rugby Players

Core strength is vital for a rugby player’s in-field performance. While a lot of game points are from the high kicks players display, their core holds their bodies still. It allows the player’s body to have fuller force. It is the foundation of the body, which helps strengthen the limbs. Here are some workout routines that will help improve rugby players’ performance.

Turkish getup

Lie on the floor, face up next to a kettlebell or dumbbell. Press the kettlebell or dumbbell vertically above the shoulder. Keep the elbow locked and the wrist straight. Sit up and bring the foot up on the same side. Push off the foot and turn into a kneeling position on the other leg. Straighten the torso, and then stand up straight. Repeat as needed.

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Uvu5b28IXeA/maxresdefault.jpg
 Image source: youtube.com

Abdominal brace

Lie facing downwards while supporting the body using the forearms and toes. Ensure that the ankles, hips, and shoulders are aligned. Brace the abdominal area and hold for 60 seconds.

http://www.healthfitnessmag.com/bench_dip2.JPG
 Image source: healthfitnessmag.com

Bench dips

Place hands on a bench’s edge and support the body weight with the feet. Maintain vertical torso position and lower the body until the upper arms are equidistant to the floor. Extend the elbows and return to the starting position after. Complete the exercise with three sets of eight repetitions.

Brendan Triplett is a former infantry sergeant, rugby enthusiast, and author. Learn more about the tough game of rugby by vising this blog.

Fun Facts About Rugby

Image source: Time.com
When the masses watch rugby, a lot of them see the brutality of the sport. Groups of massive, bulky men with unbelievable athleticism and toughness try to outmaneuver and outsmart each other to try to get their ball to the opposing team's territory. But there’s a lot more to rugby than that. Here are some fun facts people may not know about this amazing sport.
  • The first rugby balls were made from the bladders of pigs and were difficult to catch and hold on to.
  • Rugby was only played in the modern Olympic Games four times – 1900, 1908, 1920, and 1924. The United States won in 1920 and 1924, making the country the winningest in the sport in Olympic history. 
  •  Legend has it that a team is singing a national anthem before a game was first done in a rugby match. The Welsh sang their national anthem in Cardiff in 1905.
  • The record for the most points ever scored in a rugby match was accomplished by the New Zealand All Blacks, when they trounced Japan 145-17 in the 1995 Rugby World Cup. The largest margin of victory though happened in 2003, when the Aussies defeated the Namibian team, 142-0.
  • Rugby and basketball have a tight connection. James Naismith, the person credited with the invention of basketball cited football, lacrosse, baseball, hockey, and rugby as influences when he came up with basketball.

Image source: Forbes.com

Brendan Triplett served in the U.S. Army as an infantry sergeant from 2001 to 2009. He was also awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star Medal. He is a summa cum laude graduate of Drexel University. His sport of choice is, of course, rugby. Learn more about this fascinating sport by visiting this blog.