The Complete Handbook of Rugby Training Aids
A practical guide to selecting, using, and maintaining training equipment for rugby professionals, businesses, and serious enthusiasts
by Alumigogo Books
non-fiction
Select, use, and maintain rugby training equipment with confidence. A practical reference for coaches, clubs, and equipment suppliers.
About this book
This handbook is built for the person who actually has to make training equipment work: the club coach who needs a scrum machine that will survive a season of under-18s, the strength and conditioning professional who wants to objectively compare tackle bags, and the retailer who must answer whether the budget shield will hold up to senior-level impact. It moves beyond glossy brochures to explain how training aids are constructed, what tests and standards they should meet, and where the weak points in cheaper designs typically appear.
Every chapter addresses a practical decision. The book covers the full equipment landscape, from contact and impact aids to speed, agility, and conditioning tools. It provides specification frameworks so you can read a manufacturer datasheet critically, installation guidance for both fixed and mobile equipment, and a troubleshooting section that anticipates the frequent failures in practice. The final chapters examine the supplier landscape, emerging technologies, and concrete business models for operating in this market.
Written in clear, plain language, this is a reference you will return to whenever you need to purchase, repair, or recommend training equipment.
Reader Reviews
Thomas Rivera
★★★★★Legitimately the most useful reference I have for our club's equipment. The chapter on specs saved me from making a bad purchase on cheap scrum machine padding, and the maintenance section has already extended the life of our tackle bags. The troubleshooting advice is exactly what I needed, not generic advice you can find anywhere.
Sharon Moore
★★★★★I handle purchasing for a regional academy and I've read a lot of supplier brochures. This book is the first thing that explains the actual construction differences between a budget shield and a senior-level one, and why the weight difference matters. The business opportunities chapter made me think differently about how we could rent out old gear. It reads like a manual, which is what I wanted.
Kimberly Nelson
★★★★★It's a solid reference and I'll keep it on my shelf, but I felt the first chapter was a bit long for what it needed to say, and I found the installation section assumed I had tools and a facility I don't have. It's more geared toward clubs with a dedicated training space. The spec info is good, but I wish there had been more on adapting things for a small budget or a grassroots team.
Kathleen Scott
★★★★★Finally, a book that treats this equipment seriously. The comparison of different anchor systems for scrum machines was worth the price alone, and I thought the explanation of why some tackle pads compress faster than others was eye-opening. It's well organized so I jump straight to the maintenance chapter when needed. It's clear the authors have actual coaching and equipment management experience, not just internet research.
Barbara Perez
★★★★★I bought this because we need to replace our agility ladders and cones, and the chapter on specifications helped me understand what I didn't know, like material weight versus rigidity. The glossary at the back is handy for first-time buyers. I have a minor complaint: I'd have liked more pictures or diagrams, but the descriptions are clear enough to follow without them. Overall, a good practical guide for the price.