Touch and Training Programs

Touch is becoming one of Australia's most popular team sports played by people from young to old at different representative levels. The sport involves short, near maximal efforts for varying periods including numerous accelerations, changes of direction and short recovery jogs (Templeton, Wisbey, & Ewyk, 2001)(Allen, 1989). Touch demands a high level of fitness, which includes components of speed, agility, endurance, coordination, and anaerobic and aerobic capacity. As a wing position, it is important that I specifically focus on improving my ATP-CP and Lactic Acid systems. In order to do so and in regards to my personal fitness level, a specific training program must be implemented and modified to enhance my ability to play at a high elite level of Touch.

My current level for fitness for Touch, I would say is at an average state, considering that I only ever play it at school for sport and P.E, which is around four times a week. In order to participate at a higher level, a certain training program must be adjusted to suit my level aiming to build up the three energy systems; Aerobic, ATP-CP System and Lactic Acid System. Since Touch requires high intensity rates, my main focus would be to work on improving my Lactic Acid and ATP-CP systems.

There are many principles of training that make up a good training program that can specifically meet the needs of an athlete's personal fitness level. After observation of my personal own fitness level, a great deal of progressive overload, frequency, intensity and variety all need to be imparted to help improve my performance. As a wing position, my program needs to be targeted to improve my speed, power and reaction time, as well as my muscular endurance, flexibility and cardiorespiratory endurance.