Combination of movement patterns

While the coach can provide very simple activities to try and target a specific category of FMS, in reality, nearly every dynamic action will be a combination of two or more of the categories. Movement combinations are just that; combinations of stability, locomotion, manipulation and coordination and awareness movements. The more categories that are combined in movement, the more complex and challenging the movement or skill becomes to learn. Therefore, the coach should start off their very young players with very simple activities to target specific categories of FMS. As the child ages, matures, and develops mastery of the simple movements, more complexity can be added.

Rugby skills are ultimately what we are trying to develop in the young players and no rugby skill demands mastery of only one of the four categories of FMS. A single skill such as passing requires stability, awareness, coordination, and manipulation skill competence. Players rarely passes standing still, so locomotor movement patterns become important also. The coach should always challenge the players’ ability in order for them to progress. If the players are asked to pass whilst running before practicing and developing stationary passing, the combination of movement patterns may be too complex for their stage of development leading to unsuccessful attempts. An understanding of the complexity of combining movement patterns is essential for the coach to plan a well-structured training plan to help their players develop the FMS and ultimately rugby specific skills.