2-man lifting practice with pad

A good foundation exercise for technical development of practicing lifting with a tackle bag. You could use a contact pad or a tyre if you do not have a tackle bag. Key factors : Strong body position - Fast feet - Straigh back - Lock out the arms - Use momentum of both 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

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

Lineout Lifting Fundamentals

Zoran Higgins takes you through the basic lifting fundamentals that all Junior players will have to learn. This focusses specifically on hand placement and body positioning.

Learning to Lift for the Lineout - Get started

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

Lions 09 lineout 2

Lineout variation and practice

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 - 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

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.

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

The Lineout Game - Lifting techniques

The Lineout Game - Lifting techniques

Men's - Lineout maul good defence 2

Men's - Lineout maul good defence 2

Sevens - Full Lineout 2

Sevens - Full Lineout 2

Junior - Ball off the top from lineout 2

Junior - Ball off the top from lineout 2

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.

Lineout Lifting Hand Placement

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

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

Lineout - Learning To Lift

Learning to lift and work as a pod of three is the foundation of an effective line out. London Irish academy provides some great tips on how to coach this area

Men's - Ball off the top from lineout 2

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

Full lineout practice - middle then back

Unopposed practice to develop calls and movement patterns

Men's - Short Lineout 2

An example of a shortened lineout

Men's - Lineout catch & maul drive 2

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

3-man lifting practice with pads

Progress lifting practises with more movement as is required in matches. The coach can alter things to make the exercise easier or more demanding. Key factors : Communication - Fast feet - Straight back - Squat / bend the knee's - Lock out arms

British Lions - scrum practice 2

Progressiing the scrum practice always requires the underlining of the basics of the unit skill

Junior - Full Lineout 2

3 v 2 attacking practice

A useful drill to build decision-making skills. Attackers must choose from a variety of running and passing options.

Women's - Ball off the top from lineout 2

Good Practice - Segment 2

Junior - Short Lineout 2

5v5 Semi-contact (2)

The sides are now even and the players can tackle, but not attempt to steal the ball. Again, the defence must retreat 5m, giving the attackers opportunities.

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.

Shadowing and movement in the lineout

Lineout practice for developing the movement and lift timing.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

Lions 09 lineout 3

Lineout variation and practice

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

Throw and lift game

An effective game for giving the players multiple opportunities to practice lifting whilst playing a competitive game

Lions 09 Lineout 4

Lineout variation and practice

Lions 09 Lineout 1

The Lions practice their lineouts

2-man Tackle and Decision-making

This practice develops communication in a three v three game format

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.

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.

6. Support - Lineout Ball

Isolated technical practice

Courtesy of the SRU

Lions 09 - tactical kicking drill 2 blindside

A practice for developing understanding the role of chasers and counter kicking

Scrum Factory - 2. Tower of Power Demonstration

Good body posture is essential and applicable to all players regardless of age and gender
This posture transfers to the tackle, ruck, maul and in a vertical plain the lineout, so it is important that all players are coached to adopt good posture in contact

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”

1. Support - 1,2,3 Follow Through

Isolated technical practice

Courtesy of the SRU

2. Support - Chase the pass

Isolated technical practice

Courtesy of the SRU

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

7. Support - No Back Lift bench passes

Isolated technical practice

Courtesy of the SRU

QBE - Lineout Throwing Game

Attack 2 v 1

A good decision-making exercise which requires players to practice their basic running and passing skills

Lineout - 4 pod passing challenge

Four lifting pods must hold their jumpers aloft long enough for them to pass a ball through the hands twice. Lifters should stand close together and try to lock-out their arms. Jumpers should maintain a strong core and keep their legs straight to make life easier for the lifters.

Introduction to tackling - Step 2

The transition from practicing tackling on knees to tackling on feet starts with the tackler remaining on their knees and the ball-carrier walking past. Then progress to having both players on their feet, but still executing the tackle at a controlled, walking pace.

Learning to spin pass 2

A progression to build passing technique. The ball should be pushed from the waist rather than the player swinging the arm back first. Push through the ball so your arm finishes pointing at your target. Don't forget to practice on both hands.

Passing - 2 v 1 Static Defender

Now working in just twos, we are concerned with depth, and the timing of the pass. Allow players to practice before adding a static defender. This can be a tackle bag as demonstrated. Players take the ball up to the defender but must complete the pass before they reach it.

11. 6 v 2 v 2 v 2

Level 2 - Scrum Body Positions

Level 2 - Scrum Body Positions

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

Lineout Catch-and-drive

Lineout catch and drive drill

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.

6 v 2 v 2 v 2 v 3

Developing the skills into decision making down a channel

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

Junior - 2 v 1 2

Junior - 2 v 1 2

Lineout Jumping Fundamentals

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

Practice Accurate passing

This clip reinforces the importance of passing and especially accurate passing. The coaches use a variety of practises to test the players skills and help them progress

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

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

Step 6 - Introducing the Lineout

Functional Movement Warm Up Part 2

Every player should be able to perform these movements well! Mastering these will carry over to preventing injuries, managing collisions and maximising power and speed. Check out the related videos for part 1.

Men's - 3 v 2 2

Quins Defence - 2 v 2 tackling

A progression from the 1 v 1 drill this exercise adds extra players to make the decision making process more realistic. The coaches can vary the delivery of the ball and the width of the area to put different conditions to the players

Women's - 2 v 3 2

Junior - 3 v 2 2

Sevens - 2 v 1 2

Level 2 - Back Row Example Clip 2

Tackling 2 - Rugby Kibadi

Step 4 - Introducing the 2 v 2 Scrum

British Lions - Team play

The practice of a semi opposed team run is important for understanding by the players of their roles and responsibilities

British lions - team play 3

team play practice in a semi-opposed style assists the players in learning their roles and responsibilities

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

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?

Continuity in Attack - Diamond Practice U9

When the coach runs an isolated practice it is important to link the practice to the game.
Here the coach introduces the concept of a diamond support for the first time, then runs a game, pausing the action so the players learn the relevance of the practice. They quickly understand and can execute the play even in difficult and wet conditions

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.

Maul and Ruck - Practice Relevance

Consider the relevance of each practice

Make practices as realistic to the game as possible in order to maximise the learning process

Continuity in Attack - Diamond Practice

The diamond practice can be the break out session of a whole part whole approach.
It is common when running such a practice for the attacking players to arrive at the tackle line having caught each other up. Depth should be maintained in order for the diamond shape to be fully effective.

The initial ball carrier needs to use footwork to move and disrtupt the defensive shape

3 v 2 in Channel

A development of the 2 v 1 and 3 v1 drills, the attackers now must beat 2 defenders. This requires more decision-making ability as the movements of the defenders could change every time. Players must communicate as well as continue to perform their handling and running skills.

Passing - 3 v 2 Live Defenders

Gradually progress from 2 static defenders, to 3 v 2 roaming defenders. The first two players must draw their defenders before giving the pass.

Maul and Ruck - Practice Relevance

Consider the relevance of each practice

Make practices as realistic to the game as possible in order to maximise the learning process

Women's - Exiting the 22m 2

Women's - Exiting the 22m 2

Women's - Good contact body position/ball presentation 2

Women's - Good contact body position/ball presentation 2

Women's - Lineout catch & maul / drive

Women's - Lineout catch & maul / drive

Men's - 2 v 1

A good example of phase play to create a 2 v 1 attacking platform. The initial deep pass then creates an overlap and the defender drifts to allow the attacker to run through easily.

Key factors : Quick ball at breakdown - Straight lines of running - Deep pass - straight lines of running again - Loud communication