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?
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
Skill Practice Description
• Scan and make decisions.
• Set up the kick that makes the win scenario by moving the opposition.
• Hold and drop of the ball.
• Head over the ball and weight forward to reduce scope for error.
• Don’t lean back and open scope for error.
• Contact with lace, point toe and straight follow through.
• Leg speed to generate power.
• Catch with hands ready and elbows close.
• Keep eye on the ball and watch the ball into the catch.
• Gather, scan and return kick accurately
Relevance to the Game
• This game develops scanning and tactical decisions.
• Develops technical accuracy.
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
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.