Coaching Toolbox 
Player Profiling
Player Profiling
1. Player Profiling 2. Warm-up, Cool-down 3. Physical Conditioning 4. Technique 5. Fair Play 6. Protective Equipment 7. Hydration & Nutrition 8. Injury Reporting 9. Environment10. Injury ManagementQuizWet Weather TipsCoachesRefereesInjuries in RugbyLinksContact Us
Player ProfilingPDF | Print | Email
PREVENTION IS THE BEST CURE
Player Profiling is the process of assessing players to make sure:
• They have sufficient technical skill and ability for the grade at which they are playing
• They are physically conditioned to meet the demands of the sport
• They are not predisposed to serious injuries
Player Profiling gives a coach biographical details on a player (contact details, injuries, allergies, medical conditions, history of injury and recovery and performance statistics) that can be used as a base for comparison later in the season, particularly when injuries occur or are suspected.
Playing rugby means preparing well before the rugby season starts. Before pre-season training, every player should have his or her health and physical condition assessed. Some of the key factors to look for when screening are:
• First-time players
• Players with any pre-existing injuries
• Players with a history of concussions
• Older front row players – they could need an x-ray to check that they have no degenerative conditions
• Front row forwards who have had a neck injury in the past
The following are suggestions as to what you can screen your players for. Use a diary or download a form so that you can record this information for future use.
• Junior Rugby Union Player Profile
• Social Rugby Union Player Profile
• Competitive Rugby Union Player Profile
• Masters Rugby Union Player Profile
1. Draw up a health questionnaire
• Ask players to list their known medical conditions and how severe they are (for example, they may have
severe asthma or mild epilepsy)
• Ask players to list their previous injuries, the treatment they received and who they got the treatment from
2. Do a physical assessment
• A physical assessment by a sports trainer or physiotherapist can identify things that may put players at
greater risk of injury
• The assessment should test for strength, flexibility, balance, speed, aerobic and anaerobic endurance
and anatomical and biomechanical abnormalities
3. Always do follow-up Player Profiling
• Do two or three assessments a year – especially of the physical assessment. Then you can measure
improvement and training effectiveness.