The Wilf Paish
Rugby Football Tests

Wilf Paish was a senior coach with the British Athletic Association. He was well known for coaching many International Track and Field athletes and assisting athletes in many other sports. His work with rugby players devised the following series of rugby football tests.

Required Resources

To conduct this test, you will require:

Rugby pitch
400m track
30-metre tape measure
Cones
Stopwatch
Whistle
Assistant

How to conduct the tests

This test requires the athlete to undertake nine exercises: Copper 12-minute run, 30 metres sprint, squats, sit-ups, press-ups, bounding, a zigzag run, an agility star run, and diagonal pitch runs.

Test 1	Cooper 12 Minute Run This test requires the athlete to run as far as possible in 12 minutes The athlete warms up for 10 minutes The athlete commences the test, and the assistant starts the stopwatch The assistant keeps the athlete informed of the remaining time at the end of each lap (400m) The assistant blows the whistle when the 12 minutes have elapsed and records the distance the athlete covered to the nearest 10 metres.
Test 2	30 metres Sprint This test requires the athlete to run as fast as possible over 30 metres The assistant marks with cones a 30m section on the track The athlete sprints from a stationary position as fast as possible to the 30-metre finish line. Spikes allowed. The assistant stands at the finish line and starts the stopwatch from the moment the athlete contacts the ground on the first stride and stops the stopwatch when the athlete's torso crosses the line The assistant records the time
Test 3	1-minute Squat Test This test requires the athlete to perform as many squats as possible in one minute The athlete stands in front of a chair, facing away from it, with their feet shoulder-width apart The assistant gives the command “GO” and starts the stopwatch The athlete squats down, lightly touching the chair with their backside before standing back up and repeats this sequence of movements for one minute The assistant keeps the athlete informed of the time remaining The assistant counts and records the number of completed squats
Test 4	1-minute Sit-ups Test This test requires the athlete to perform as many sit-ups as possible in one minute The athlete lies on the mat with the knees bent, feet flat on the floor and the hands-on their ears, where they must stay throughout the test The assistant holds the athlete's feet on the ground The assistant gives the command “GO” and starts the stopwatch The athlete sits up, touching the knees with their elbows, then returns to the floor and continues to perform as many sit-ups as possible in one minute The assistant keeps the athlete informed of the time remaining The assistant counts and records the number of correct sit-ups completed in the one minute
Test 5	1-minute Press Up Test This test requires the athlete to perform as many press-ups as possible in one minute The athlete lies on the ground, places their hands by the shoulders and straightens the arms The assistant gives the command “GO” and starts the stopwatch The athlete performs as many press-ups as possible in one minute The assistant keeps the athlete informed of the time remaining The assistant counts and records the number of correct press-ups completed in the one minute
Test 6	22-metre Hopping & Bounding Test This test requires the athlete to perform some hopping/bounding activities as fast as possible The assistant marks with cones a 22m section on the track The assistant gives the command “GO” and starts the stopwatch The athlete hops the 22m on the right leg, quickly turns and long strides the 22m, quickly turns and hops the 22m on the left leg, quickly turns and long strides the 22m, quickly turns two-footed hops the 22m, quickly turns and sprints the 22m The assistant stops the stopwatch and records the time when the athlete's torso crosses the finishing line after the 22m sprint

Test 7

Zuig Zag run

Zigzag run

This test requires the athlete to run a zigzag agility circuit as fast as possible

The assistant sets up the course as per the diagram
The assistant gives the command “GO” and starts the stopwatch
The athlete runs from A to B, picks up a ball and runs to C, zigzags between cones to D, and then zig-zags back to C. Sprint to E, put the ball down and sprint to F
The assistant stops the stopwatch and records the time when the athlete's torso crosses the finishing line

Test 8

Star run

Star run

This test requires the athlete to run an agility star circuit as fast as possible.

The assistant sets up the course as per the diagram. Balls are placed at A and E (distances from A-B, B-C, C-D and D-A is 20m)
The assistant gives the command “GO” and starts the stopwatch
The athlete starts at A with the ball, runs to E, changes the balls, and sprints around the cone at B and back to E to change the balls. He then runs around cones C and D in turn, changing the ball over at E each time before returning to A
The assistant stops the stopwatch and records the time when the athlete's torso crosses the finishing line

Test 9

Rugby Test

Diagonal pitch runs

This test requires the athlete to carry out a series of sprints on a rugby pitch (100m x 70m max) as fast as possible

The assistant gives the command “GO” and starts the stopwatch
The athlete sprints from A to B to C to D and back to A
The assistant stops the stopwatch and records the time when the athlete's torso crosses the finishing line at A

Assessment

Enter the results of each test in the appropriate Test box and then select the 'Calculate' button. The points for each test, the total points and an assessment of your performance will be displayed.

Test 1 metres	points
Test 2 seconds	points
Test 3 squat thrusts	points
Test 4 sit-ups	points
Test 5 press ups	points
Test 6 seconds	points
Test 7 seconds	points
Test 8 seconds	points
Test 9 seconds	points

A total of points	Assessment

Forward & Back differential

In certain circumstances, the coach might need to compare the heavy forward test results with a much lighter back. When making this comparison, a total of 50 points should be added to those achieved by the forward.

Injury return

In rugby football, a coach is frequently faced with deciding when a key player is ready to return to squad training and playing. When the injured player can score the exact total from the tests achieved before the injury, they are probably prepared for squad training and competition.

Analysis

The test result is analysed by comparing it with the athlete's previous results for this test. It is expected that the analysis would indicate an improvement in the athlete's fitness level with appropriate training between each test.

Target Group

This test is suitable for all athletes but not for individuals where the test would be contraindicated.

Reliability

Test reliability refers to how a test is consistent and stable in measuring its intended measure. Reliability will depend upon how strict the test is conducted and the individual's level of motivation to perform the test. The following link provides various factors influencing the results and test reliability.

Validity

Test validity refers to the degree to which the test measures what it claims to measure and the extent to which inferences, conclusions, and decisions based on test scores are appropriate and meaningful. This test provides a means to monitor training on the athlete's physical development.

Advantages

Minimal equipment required
Simple to set up and conduct
Can be conducted almost anywhere

Disadvantages

Specific facilities required
Assistant required to administer the test

Free Calculator

Rugby Football Tests Calculator - a free Microsoft Excel spreadsheet that you can download and use on your computer.

Page Reference

If you quote information from this page in your work, then the reference for this page is:

MACKENZIE, B. (1998) The Wilf Paish Rugby Football Tests [WWW] Available from: https://www.brianmac.co.uk/rugby.htm [Accessed

The Wilf Paish Rugby Football Tests