In Limbo

For many rugby players, including myself, the spring rugby season is coming to a close.  For me the off-season is a place of limbo, especially as a new player. I anxiously await the new season and all that will come along with it. There are a few important things that every rugby player should do during the off-season.
1. Stay in touch with your team.
It is essential for rugby players to keep in contact with their teammates to maintain team camaraderie and unity. Once the season starts back up, players do not have to put unnecessary time and effort in redeveloping chemistry with the rest of the team. That time can be better spent learning new drills and plays.
2. Build a rapport with potential players and recruit! 
Unfortunately, for most teams, players eventually decide to leave the team and move on to bigger and better things. Veterans have the sometimes difficult task of recruiting new players. During the off-season, time normally spent practicing can be used meeting new people, forming friendships, and recruiting players for your club.
3. Watch Rugby.
One of the best ways a rugby player can improve his or her game is by watching matches. It is often helpful to study other players' techniques and strategies. Also, from a spectator's point of view the strategy of the game can become clearer to a player. This is the absolute best way for a new player to learn the game.
4. Get plugged-in with the broader rugby community. 
I think every rugby player should extend themselves outside of just their respective teams. Meeting other rugby players from around the world provides opportunities to discuss the game with someone who shares the same passion as you do, express frustrations or problems you face as a rugby player, and allows for the exchange of ideas especially in regards of recruitment and game play. RuckU is a great online community for all rugby players to check out.
5. Workout!
Just like any other sport, the off-season is not a time to slack off and not maintain a regular workout routine. Physical fitness is a necessary component of rugby. Staying in shape will only help make the transition into regular season play easier on both the player and his or her team.