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EPDCs to get to grips with Judo

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Tigers EPDC players will soon be trying their hand at a sport which may appear entirely different to what they are used to, but which will have great benefits when it comes to rugby. Starting in mid-March, aspiring young Tigers will be getting to grips with judo.

Tigers LTAD coach Wayne Lakin, a former judo international who currently holds a joint role with Tigers and the British Judo Association, will be visiting all four EPDCs to give a unique insight into how and why judo can help a rugby player's development.

Wayne will be taking an introductory coaching session, before explaining how youngsters can get involved with their own judo training outside of the EPDC structure.

Judo has become a popular training method for a number of leading rugby teams, with the All Blacks in particular reaping the benefits.

"The skills we can learn from judo can be transferred into rugby," says Lakin. "They may be entirely different sports but there are so many elements of judo that can really help young rugby players in their development. For that reason, we'll be encouraging everyone to take part in judo outside of the EPDC  set-up."

That sentiment is echoed throughout Leicester Tigers, with first-team and academy players also encorporating judo techniques into their training routines.

"We feel we get a lot of benefits from judo," says Tigers player development manager Carl Douglas. "Primarily, the robustness and the mental toughness that's associated with a straight one-on-one. The skills in terms of floor work, grappling, weight transfer, balance and agility are all transferable skills, so we feel very strongly that educating the boys through these sessions will be of massive benefit."

EPDC judo coaching dates

Monday March 12 - Staffordshire University

Tuesday March 13 - Newark RFC

Tuesday March 20 - Oval Park, Oadby

Tuesday April 10 - Swaffham RFC

NB The times and venues will be officially confirmed at a latter date, but these sessions are intended to take place during a regular EPDC session.