Speed/power - adding resistance

[IrishRugger]

Hi guys. I'm doing preseason conditioning for rugby at the moment and wanted to add resistance to my sprinting work. I want to improve my speed and the ability to break powerfully through tackles. I have been told either a sled (too expensive), a weighted vest or a parachute would be good for this. Which of the latter two would be better, and is there anything else I should consider?

[DeadFrog]

I have heard great things about the parachute. Pros use it. There is also the harness with the rubber band thing. My coach used to hold the handle at the end of the long bungee cord attached to the harness while someone ran in the opposite direction.

[Hoister]

I made a cheap sled out of an old tire and rim i found in the ditch alongside a backroad near my home.

I fastened an "eye-bolt" through the wall of the tire. I tied a 1.5" rope to the eye bolt, ran it through a piece of pipe about 48" long and attached the other end of the rope to the same "eye-bolt". I use the pipe as a handle to drag the sled by either pushing or pulling on the handle.

I sit bags of sand and/or plates into the hollow (backside) of the rim for added resistance.

Total cost - $25 for rope, eye-bolt and two washers.

Just an option for you to consider.