RFU guidance on managing pitches in drought conditions

As we prepare for the new season, we have experienced some unusually dry and hot weather over the last few weeks, meaning pitches may be harder than normal for contact training.

While we understand player safety is the most important thing, we need to make sure that when the time comes for matches they are as contact ready as possible. Below we have some activities that can take place if your pitches are still hard.

Use the Activate programme – the RFU’s Injury Prevention Exercise Programme

Re-visit coaching falling correctly with all players from age grade through to adult here

Coach contact movement and decision-making skills video below.

Managing Contact: Steal the Sock

Managing Contact: Spar the Knee

Managing Contact: Tag the Tail

Managing Contact: Tag Steal Combo

RFU Community Communications – Managing Pitches in Drought Conditions

Managing Pitches in drought conditions and risk assessment

RFU Community Communications – Managing Pitches in Drought Conditions

With the hot weather and hard pitches,  clubs have an ongoing responsibility to assess the playability of pitches prior to training and matches, which applies as much to hard, dry pitches as it does to when they are frozen or waterlogged.

With this in mind, it is important that clubs complete the relevant risk assessments before training or playing. Therefore, insurance cover remains in place for clubs on the understanding that the suitability and safety of pitches are assessed prior to play and a record of the assessment is retained, in case this is required for reference at a later date.

RFU Community Communications – Risk Assessment