Why repetition alone isn’t enough and what young players need instead

You’ve probably heard it before: “Repetition is the key to improvement.” While that’s partly true, it misses a crucial detail, repetition only works when it’s structured.

For young rugby players, this is especially important. Yes, they need to repeat drills and practise regularly, but if the sessions aren’t structured and linked to a clear goal, then all that repetition can quickly become just noise.

At The RTA Squad we explore what structured repetition looks like and why it’s the key to real progress, especially in pre-season.

The problem with random drills

We know that junior players who are eager to improve will head outside with a ball, run through cones, pass to a parent or a wall, and do it all again the next day. It looks like commitment, and it is, but without a plan, those repetitions often lead nowhere.

Why? Because when players don’t know why they’re doing a drill - or what it’s building towards - they’re just going through the motions. There’s no feedback loop, no progression, and no confidence being built. Repetition without structure is like trying to build a house by laying bricks at random. You’re working hard, but you’re not really building anything.

What structured repetition actually looks like

In contrast, structured repetition is focused and intentional. Every drill is selected for a reason and each session builds on the last. Every skill ladders up to a bigger outcome, whether that’s improving their passing under pressure, boosting tackling confidence, or making better decisions on game day.

Here’s what structured repetition includes:

A clear skill focus: One area at a time, not everything at once.

Drill progression: Each week should add complexity or challenge.

Consistency: Short, regular sessions that create rhythm.

Understanding the ‘why’: Players should know what they’re working on and how it fits into their game.

When players train like this, even just 10–15 minutes at a time, the results are powerful. The skills start to stick, their confidence grows, and their performance under pressure improves.

Pre-season is the perfect time to get it right

The start of the season always brings excitement, but it also brings pressure as once matches begin, the chance to really focus on development starts to narrow. That’s why pre-season is such a valuable window.

With no games or team selection distractions, junior players can zoom in on their skillset. It’s the ideal time to build strong technical foundations, focus on individual goals, and create good training habits that all lead to increased confidence before game day begins. But to get the most out of this window, players need structure and a plan.

That’s where The RTA Squad comes in

Inside The RTA Squad, we give players that structure. The current pre-season plan is designed specifically to help junior players make the most of this window by focusing on the fundamentals in a way that drives progress.

Each training plan within The RTA Squad includes:

• A clear skill focus
• Progression built into every week
• Short, sharp drills that are easy to follow
• Coaching insight to explain why each drill matters

This is where repetition becomes meaningful and prepares players to step into the new season with confidence, ready to compete at their best.

If your child is already putting in the work, brilliant but if that work isn’t part of a structured plan, they may not be getting the return their effort deserves. Help them get the most out of pre-season and join The RTA Squad today.