Step 6 - Introducing the Lineout

7-man - walk-in middle lift

Players walk into the lineout and lift as soon as they are in line. If there are no defending jumpers, the best option is to go straight up in the middle. This requires practice to ensure timing and communication between, the hooker, jumper and lifters is right.

Chapter 6 - Introducing the Lineout

Lineout Jumping Fundamentals

Here we take you through the basic and essential core skills required for any jumper in the lineout.

Did this Lineout win the World Cup

The black team split the lineout pods at the front and the back, the defence are then forced to move with these pods to compete or stop a driving maul, (As they are close to the try line), this creates a whole in the middle of the lineout which the black team exploit cleverely. This play is clever and tactical and shows how complex the lineout can be. Key factors : Lifting pods to move quickly - Strong jump - Accurate lifting - Accurate throw - Delayed run through the middle

Full lineout practice - middle then back

Unopposed practice to develop calls and movement patterns

Men's - Full lineout 2

A 5 man lineout where all the players are spread evenly apart, all players can lift and jump so the focus is on speed and accuracy. Key factors : Even spread of players - Communication - Quick jump - Accuate lifting - Accurate throw in

6. Support - Lineout Ball

Isolated technical practice

Courtesy of the SRU

Infringements Clip 6 - Lineout Interference

Lineout Lifting Progressions

The second session focusses on developing the basic techniques for building your line out. Wasps second row James Cannon takes some level 6 players through some progressions

7-man - dummy at back then shift forward

If you can commit a lifting pod at the back of the lineout, it should leave uncontested space in the middle to win the ball.

The Lineout Game - Under14

Players begin to use movement with the intention of deceiving the opposition as to where the ball will be thrown. However if the ball is always thrown to the front, how effective will this movement be?
This clip illustrates how the front ball is secured by jumping and catching skill and then protected by the support players. If the same skills could be used with a middle ball, the tactical decision making will also be developed

How many coaches opt for safety and not for the long term development of their players?

Lineout Lifting Fundamentals - Get started

An effective line out is based upon the fundamentals of movement, jumping and lifting. James Cannon from London Wasps takes some amateur players through the basic skills and techniques

Lineout Pods and Movement

The coach progresses the line out onto small units working together, adds in some competition and starts work with some five man options

Lineout Lifting Basics

The lineout is a key part of rugby union and it is vital for player safety and success that the proper technique is learnt. James Cannon of London Wasps walks through the key technical elements of lineout lifting and jumping. Log in to see the full session.

The Lineout Game - Lifting

When introducing lifting, consider the suitability of the players for each role. It may be that a small, light player now takes up a key role in jumping and catching while the bigger players, who may have previously jumped are best suited to lifting at this stage in development
When introducing lifting to young players, always side on caution and use spotters to assist in the initial learning stages. This will develop confidence and competence

Always be aware of fatigue and do not over work the players even if progress is slow

Sevens - Full Lineout 3

Accurate skills are the key to lineouts in seven's, a combination of movement, lifting and throw combine to make an effective restart for the attacking team. The shape of the attacking side is pre planned to create a mis - match with a faster player v a slower one. key factors : Pre call the move - Fast feet - Strong core for jumper - Support from both players to lift the jumper - Jumper to jump - Accurate throw - Support he jumper to the ground - Offload pass to scrum half

Building the Lineout

This video initially shows the lift, bring down to the ground and bind of a lineout pod.

The video also illustrates safe and effective ways to introduce movement, lifting and jumping skills to youth players

Lions 09 - Lineout Movement

A dynamic practise for speed and quality of lifting in lineouts. This exercise can be used for 15's and 7's and for different age groups. The coaches can vary the distance of the cones and progress to both lifters moving. Coaches can add some fun by making it a competition. Key factors : The jumper must jump - Core body strength - Keep body stiff and straight - Lifters work together - Lock out arms - Bring the jumper down safely

Learning to Lift for the Lineout - Get started

Some slightly different progressions in building upon the basic skills for an effective line out

Scotland New Lineout Move

Scotlands clever score from the line out v Ireland was a great example of coaches or players being innovative and looking at new ways to do things. This clip shows a few slightly different uses for placing your scrum half at the front of the line out. It is just ideas and about pushing the boundaries of the laws

Sale - Lineout lifting & set

Coaching junior players to lift effectively in the line out is based upon some simple steps. Ross Harrison from Sale sharks outlines the key principles and progresses to the driving maul

Broncos 4 - 6 v 3 Identify space

Players to attack with "Heads up" and identify where colleagues have space. Supporting players to call early to the ball carriers. Defenders to stay tight to not let attack through the middle spaces easily

Lineout Movement and Lifting

Using a coloured grid, pods of 3 can work on their timing and technique when moving before the lift. The coach calls which colour cone to jump from, so the players can learn to react quickly. Rotate jumpers so that players practice working in different pods.

The Lineout Game - Offloading

The ball should ideally be taken early and delivered with firm, but sympathetic direction. The arms and legs of the jumper will be ideally close together throughout the jump in order to maintain good core stability. Keeping the legs together will also assist the front lifter to remain stable. If the jumper does not control their legs, the front lifter cannot control the lift and support

Lineout Game - Pod Race

This game is also in the level 2 swatch (coaching the 15-a-side game).

When working with players actively lifting and jumping, it is most important to be sensitive to fatigue, primarily for safety reasons

7-man - walk-in, react to defence

As a progression from your lineout variation practice, it is important to test your pack's ability to make decisions under pressure. Here, they must react to the positioning of two defending jumpers and put the ball to the space.

The Lineout Game - Youth

The objective of this practice is to develop the jump and catch in space free of opposition
The objective of movement is to lose the opposition player “lose your marker”

Lineout Fundamentals

Dominant lineout players such as Geoff Parling build their trade on solid technical foundations. Log in to RCD for plenty of coaching tips on lineout technique.

Geoff Parling - Lineout Dominance

Dominant lineout players such as Geoff Parling build their trade on solid technical foundations. Log in to RCD for plenty of coaching tips on lineout technique.

The Lineout Game - Defence

Defending against the lineout throw is a key area for disrupting the opposition and their attacking platform. The defending jumper can be very effective by getting a hand in between the opponents’ hands and disrupting the catch. This may also block the vision of the opponent who wishes to follow the flight of the ball

Breakdown - Two Man Turnovers

Turnovers at the breakdown is back in the spotlight and the recent Australian performances have highlighted how important they are. Neal Hatley from Bath explains how the role of the 2nd man is key and how to practise the technique

Tackling 18 - Man on Man Defence

Tackling 18 - Man on Man Defence

Sevens - Lineout catch & maul drive

Sevens - Lineout catch & maul drive

Mike Catt - Attacking from Lineouts - Back Ball

Classroom session with Mike Catt - discussing the key points of attacking from a lineout

Sevens - Full Lineout 2

Sevens - Full Lineout 2

Building the Lineout

We have changed the content on this clip - just in the short term - until we produce new content on building the maul from a Lineout - apologies

Men's - Lineout maul good defence 3

Men's - Lineout maul good defence 3

Lineout essentials

The lineout provides an essential attacking platform. Log in to see advice and examples from pro players, suitable for elite, adult and youth players.

2-man Tackle and Decision-making

This practice develops communication in a three v three game format

Joe Launchbury - Lineout Tips

England & Wasps Second row Joe Launchbury provides a few tips on the role of the lock and what coaches and players should focus on

QBE - Lineout Throwing Game

Lions 09 backs defence 4 man on man

Lions 2009 defence clip

Lineout - Speed & Movement Drill

Working in pods of three on speed & movement will help you win line outs. Players also develop better skills in order to play a better standard of rugby and help others around them. Another London Irish coaching resource

2nd man at breakdown

What is the role of the 2nd defender at the tackle or breakdown? How do you coach players to be effective

Lineout Game - Target Games

This practice is a safe and enjoyable activity to develop the movement of the lifting pod and the accuracy of the throw

Fitness - Jumps for power

The best way to increase your power without expensive equipment is to integrate power-jumps into your training programme. S&C coach Jack Crehan explains how certain jumps can increase your power and how and when do do them

The Lineout Game - Under13

The under 13 age group uses the full size pitch. The coach should consider that the 5m tram line as a bigger obstacle for a 12 year old thrower, than it is for a 15 year old thrower
To develop lineout understanding, it may be worth exploring for the best thrower and not select their roles at the lineout by shirt numbers

If the policy is to throw to the front at every lineout, how will this develop the tactical and technical understanding of the lineout game?

It may be that possession is occasionally lost, but is the long term development of players more important than any given children’s’ game?

Building the Maul from a Lineout

A maul from a lineout can be a powerful attacking tool. This clip shows how to construct the maul at the front of the lineout quickly. Practice is key to ensure players understand their positioning and timing.

Lineout Catch & Drive

Premiership Rugby coaches and players highlight the importance of the lineout as an entry point and an attacking platform. Join PremiershipRugbyCoaching.com for ideas and examples to improve your lineouts.

Lineout Catch-and-drive

Lineout catch and drive drill

Tackling 20 - 2-man Tackle

Tackling 20 - 2 man Tackle

Lions 09 Lineout 4

Lineout variation and practice

Women's - Lineout catch & maul / drive

Women's - Lineout catch & maul / drive

Lineout Tips from London Irish Forwards

London Irish forwards talk through some of the elements that make an effective lineout, and how you can prepare for a match.

Lineout Lifting Hand Placement

This video takes you through the importance of hand placement in building a solid lineout.

Men's - Lineout catch & maul drive 1

Men's - Lineout catch & maul drive 1

The Lineout Game - Lifting techniques

The Lineout Game - Lifting techniques

Team patterns from lineout

Some ideas on developing paly from the lineout and progressions

Mike Catt - Attacking from Lineouts - Dummy Options

Classroom session with Mike Catt - discussing the key points of attacking from a lineout

The Lineout Game - The floor game

The lineout competition is not won and lost when the ball is caught. If the team defending the throw cannot compete in the air, they can subsequently compete on the ground and disrupt the quality of possession the opposition wish to use

Lineout game for speed of lifting

Elite coach Neal Hatley uses a game to develop speed of lifting in a lineout by providing an element of competition and fun.

Shadowing and movement in the lineout

Lineout practice for developing the movement and lift timing.

Breakdown - The Role Of The 1st Man

The breakdown is decided by what the 1st man in support does, this is cruelly exposed in Seven's rugby but in Fifteen's we often miss poor technique because of the number of players involved

8-man Scrum

A demonstration of how to construct a full, 8-man scrum.

Mike Catt - Attacking from Lineouts - Quick Ball

Classroom session with Mike Catt - discussing the key points of attacking from a lineout

Men's - Lineout maul good defence 2

Men's - Lineout maul good defence 2

Attack from short lineout

With the dummy lifting pod moving back, Filton College execute a short lineout to the front lifter. They attack wide before 're-winding' and using the overlap on the nearside to break through for a try.

Team patterns play from lineout

Developing play from the lineout should have options and progressions

Sevens - Full Lineout 1

Sevens - Full Lineout 1

The Lineout Game - Movement in the line out

It may be that a light, athletic group of players focus on speed over technique, but a bigger group of players may focus on technique in order to maximise height.The tempo and tactics at the lineout needs to suit the player profiles.

Strike move from Lineout

RGS Guildford secure lineout ball and perform a 'circle' ball, with the fly-half looping around the centre who pops the ball back to him. This is to draw in defenders, to create space out wide. The winger is able to exploit this space to complete the try.

Junior - Ball off the top from lineout 2

Junior - Ball off the top from lineout 2

Lineout Throwing with Dylan Hartley

Northampton Saints and England hooker Dylan Hartley talks through his lineout throwing procedures and explains the importance of routine

Junior - Lineout catch & mail / drive

Junior - Lineout catch & mail / drive

Women's - Lineout mail good defence

Women's - Lineout mail good defence

Men's - Lineout maul good defence 1

Men's - Lineout maul good defence 1

Lions 09 lineout 3

Lineout variation and practice

Driven Lineout Strategy

The lineout & box kick has become increasingly more important this season, Brian Smith from London Irish explains what "Exits" are and why they are important

Men's - Lineout catch & maul drive 2

An example of setting up a maul after a catch and drive at a lineout

Men's - Ball off the top from lineout 2

An example of playing the ball from the top of a lineout

Men's - Short Lineout 2

An example of a shortened lineout

Lions 09 lineout 2

Lineout variation and practice

Lions - 3&5 man scrum practice

A progression from the 3 man scrum - developing body shape and positions

Lions 09 Lineout 1

The Lions practice their lineouts

Lions 09 lineout 5

Lineout variation and development

Tag Game - Piggy in the Middle

A TAG variation to keep challenging decision-making

Dylan Hartley on the Lineout

STG - Piggy in the Middle

A fun game that will encourage good coordination and decision-making.

11. 6 v 2 v 2 v 2

Tackling 6 - Revision of Tracking and Basic Technique

Lineout Throw with Dylan Hartley

Dylan Hartley explains his own approach and routines for throwing into the line out and provides some tips and advice to young players

Broncos 6 - Attack to Defence 8 v 5

A combination of skills are tested, both technical and tactical with the defenders moving from a passing activity to defending 8 attackers. The coach can change the attack with different starting points and number of attackers

Infringements Clip 1 - Early Jump

Dylan Hartley - Lineout Throwing

Dylan Hartley explains the importance of routine and structure when preparing for each throw, in order to achieve consistency.

Coaching 7-a-side Rugby - Flat 6 with sweeper

In Defence:

Stay alert, keep on toes, specific communication, react, work hard

Defend what is happening – not what you think is going to happen

Trust the defence system, trust your team mates – trust yourself

Piggy in the Middle - 4v1

Develop young players' quick passing and decision-making skills.

Advantage Clip 6 - Scrum Advantage

Foul Play Clip 3 - Lineout Interference

Team patterns - more lineout options

Patterns from set piece should be practised regularly