Wales captain Sam Warburton trains with Collision King

To assist coaches using the superb Rhino Collision King we have identified seven key points to work on in your drill sessions. The biggest problem experienced with players when they first use it is that their first instinct is to simply Smash it! As you’d expect of such an innovative piece of specialist training equipment, there is a lot more to it than that.....

And once you check out all the benefits and drills with the Rhino Collision King head to the World Rugby Shop to purchase the Rhino Collision King for your rugby team.  It is a great investment for better rugby.

Coaching point 1

• Begin with players approximately one metre away from the Collision King and let them get a feel for it; the body height required, range of grips in and around the machine, it’s weight and the way it moves along ground etc. After that, you can build up to differing entry points and approach speed (straight on, through the gate, coming back and around into the collision, tight angles, one man collision, two man collision, three man collision (ball carrier and two players to clean out) etc.

Coaching point 2

• Let the players know why the base plate is in an arrowhead i.e. you can ‘Hit-Grip-Twist’ as machine and it will not topple over. If the base plate had been rectangular it would just fall to one side or the other.

Coaching point 3

• Once a player is confident with the machine, make sure that it has got sufficient weight on it to bring around the desired training effect. For some of your more powerful players, weight will need to be added. Ideally, use 22lb-44lb Olympic discs, power bags or a coach. The starting (unloaded) weight of the Collision King is 198 lbs.

Coaching point 4

• Get them to understand the “sweet spot” on the hit pad, especially when it is a single player hit, working to get into the correct and most effective position.

Coaching point 5

• Make sure the grip bar is set at the correct distance for each players arm length. If you just want to set the grip bar for multi player use, i.e. open play set up around the field; I have found that three quarter to fully deployed down the spindle suits all.

Coaching point 6

• If you are working in pairs hitting the Collision King they must work on getting low and at all times “chase feet” keeping their eyes up and looking through the target initially so that they have accurate hand placement and grip. They must also communicate with each other.

Coaching point 7

• The three key points to continually look for are outstanding body height and accuracy of hit (everything comes down the tunnel) – strong hand grip – Chase feet, after collision stay strong then next job! The Hit-Grip-Feet should all blend into one dynamic continual movement.

Drill 1 – RCK Orientation Drill

• Initially start players approx a meter away from machine, let them get a feel for the machine, the body height required, the range of grips in and around the machine, the weight of the machine, the way the machine moves along the ground etc. Then after that you can build up to differing entry points and approach speed.
• Let the players know why the base plate is in an arrowhead i.e. you can Hit-Grip-Twist and Lift machine and it will not topple over, if the base plate had been rectangular it would just fall to one side or the other.
• After your player is with machine make sure that machine has got sufficient weight on it to bring around desired training effect for some of your more powerful players weight will have to be added ideally Olympic discs 22 lb or 44 lb, power bags, or a coach can stand on front of machine. The starting weight of the Junior Collision King is 132 lbs.
• Get your players to understand the “sweet spot” on the “Contact pad” especially when it is a single player hit, work to get your contact shoulder into the perfect position every time.
• Make sure RCK Grip bar is set at correct distance for your players arm length, if you just want to set Grip bar for multi player use i.e. open play set up around field or drills that have all players involved then three-quarter to fully deploy the grip bar down the Spindle.
• Make sure your players when hitting machine they work on getting low and at all times “chase feet” to a controlled finishing position, keep eyes up which creates straight back looking through target initially so they have accurate hand placement and grip.
• The three key points to continually look for are outstanding body height and accuracy of hit (everything comes down the tunnel) – strong hand grip – Chase feet, after collision stay strong then next job! The Hit-Grip-Feet should all blend into one dynamic continual movement.

Drill 2 – RCK Body Height Drill

• A fault of many players when approaching the breakdown is they arrive to high and then at the last moment they have to get into a low dynamic body position by this time it’s too late.
• Player starts at side of RCK and has to come round and into Collision King by crawling into collision area in this way player works on all fours (hands & feet) and then re shapes when making contact with RCK “Contact pad”.
• Coach can also stand 4 mtrs in front of RCK and as player comes in and round into breakdown tunnel they must be at correct low body height as they move past coach. Coach can put pressure on player by communicating and pushing player towards ground.

Drill 3 – RCK Gate Drill

• A key coaching point for all coaches working with players on the RCK is to get your players into the mindset to come in through the “gate”, the width of the RCK is designed to replicate the width of the “gate” at the breakdown area.
• Set cones at varying distances away from RCK 1mtr, 2mtr and 3mtr so player must come back in and round cones and back in through gate lowering body height into breakdown tunnel.
• Player must work on dynamic feet movement squaring themselves into gate so they can generate powerful dynamic movement into contact with RCK.

Drill 4 - RCK Latching Drill

• This drill brings around two players onto RCK player makes contact with RCK in low dynamic position and second player then arrives and latches onto first player this drill encourages good communication and second supporting player working on low dynamic drive and also accurate grip
• and support onto first player.
• First player will set the height of the drill so it is imperative that this player is in a low position driving from low to high on initial contact.
• If you are working in pairs hitting machine they must work on getting low and at all times “chase feet” keep eyes up looking through target initially so they have accurate hand placement and grip, they must communicate with each other throughout drill.

Drill 5 – RCK Triple Player Drill

• Three players start at different distances away from RCK 2mtrs, 4mtrs, 6mtrs on coaches call players move into RCK with every player having to concentrate on correct body position on entry, binds ,grips leg drive and communication. The third player clamps front two players together so it becomes a 2-1 set up .

Drill 6 – RCK Fatigue Drills

• All drills above should be carried out by the coach at low intensity to begin with , coach must look for key coaching points mentioned within these specific coaching notes for your player/s on the RCK. As a coach once you feel the technical aspects are being carried out by your players you must create fatigue drills before and after entry and exit to and from the RCK. Players must be able to carry out key technical points when fatigued in this way player’s mentality, focus and concentration will be tested as well as the physical side of the specific training you are doing.