Weights, nutrition, exercise drills, and running can all be done in isolation but there's one major component to rugby league that players can't replicate – the heavy thwack of contact work.
Social distancing does not allow for a 90kg-to-100kg frame to charge into another at high velocity then try to keep them pinned on the ground.
Players eagerly got back into the team training environment over the past week for the build-up to May 28.
The NRL has given the green light to contact work from Monday as COVID-19 restrictions are loosened, which means the teams have less than three weeks to do contact work – after eight weeks without wrestling, scrimmaging and tackling.
"Obviously when it can happen, that will be the majority of our training," said Roosters co-captain Jake Friend, who averages over 40 tackles a game.
"The footy side and combos is one thing but getting those bumps and bruises – getting ready for the footy to start again – that's important."
More:
https://www.raiders.com.au/news/2020/05/11/crunch-time-contact-work-key-to-preparing-for-restart/
Topic: Crunch time: Contact work key to preparing for restart
