The coach progresses the line out onto small units working together, adds in some competition and starts work with some five man options
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 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
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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
This practice is a safe and enjoyable activity to develop the movement of the lifting pod and the accuracy of the throw
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
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
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
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
Some slightly different progressions in building upon the basic skills for an effective line out
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
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
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
The Lineout Game - Lifting techniques
Sevens - Full Lineout 2
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
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
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
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 catch and drive drill
The Lions practice their lineouts
Lineout variation and practice
Men's - Lineout maul good defence 2
An example of setting up a maul after a catch and drive at a lineout
Men's - Lineout catch & maul drive 1
Men's - Turnover and move the ball
Men's - Lineout maul good defence 1
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
An example of a shortened lineout
An example of playing the ball from the top of a lineout
Men's - Lineout maul good defence 3
Men's - Strike Moves 3
Women's - Lineout mail good defence
Women's - Lineout catch & maul / drive
Women's - Strike Moves 1
Women's - Turnovers and move the ball
Men's - Turnover and move the ball 4
Classroom session with Mike Catt - discussing the key points of attacking from a lineout
Developing play from the lineout should have options and progressions
London Irish forwards talk through some of the elements that make an effective lineout, and how you can prepare for a match.
Northampton Saints and England hooker Dylan Hartley talks through his lineout throwing procedures and explains the importance of routine
Lineout variation and practice
The lineout provides an essential attacking platform. Log in to see advice and examples from pro players, suitable for elite, adult and youth players.
Sevens - Lineout catch & maul drive
Classroom session with Mike Catt - discussing the key points of attacking from a lineout
Sevens - Full Lineout 1
Lineout variation and practice
Classroom session with Mike Catt - discussing the key points of attacking from a lineout
Junior - Ball off the top from lineout 2
Junior - Lineout catch & mail / drive
Junior - Strike Moves 1
Here we take you through the basic and essential core skills required for any jumper in the lineout.
Lineout practice for developing the movement and lift timing.
Elite coach Neal Hatley uses a game to develop speed of lifting in a lineout by providing an element of competition and fun.
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.
Some ideas on developing paly from the lineout and progressions
Lineout variation and development
Developing attack moves through the backs
A good 'go to' strike move for all players 1-15 to know. Passing the ball behind a decoy runner can commit and confuse defenders, hopefully creating holes to attack.
This backs move combines a decoy 'slice' pass with the DSM (dummy-switch, miss pass) to confuse the defence. The first decoy runner and dummy-switch should commit the inside players, keeping the defensive line narrow. The space out wide is then exploited with the miss pass.
This video takes you through the importance of hand placement in building a solid lineout.
Dylan Hartley explains his own approach and routines for throwing into the line out and provides some tips and advice to young players
A great axample of how to use effective passing and dummy runners to attack from scrums. Key factors ; Solid scrum - Accurate spin pass - Load calling from dummy runners - Different angles of running - Wide flat pass - Speed and swerve from the final player
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?
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
Developing back play in attack
A turnover from a strong tackle and quick "Jackle" where the defender uses the momentum of the attacking player to swimg up onto his feet and contest the ball, this results in a line break. Key factors : Tackle technique - Urgency to get up to feet - Core strength - Speed
From a turnover in contact the attackers pass the ball wide one way and then a deep wide pass back in the other direction to pull the defence out of shape and create an opportunity to attack. Key factors : Wide flat pass - Players support from depth - Deep wide pass - Running and swerving past the defender
Developing play in backs
Developing attacking plays through the backs
Dylan Hartley explains the importance of routine and structure when preparing for each throw, in order to achieve consistency.
A simple but effective attack from a scrum. Three good passes provides the winger to run past his defender to score. Notice how the first reciever is directly behind the scrum and not to the side, (This makes the pass from the scrum easier when under pressure). Key factors : Position of 1st reciever - Run straigh and wide spin pass - Speed of the runner
Players can strike from any location on the pitch, in this clip the Red team relax thinking they have the attackers behind their own posts, however a strong scrum, good pass and great step create the gap to go through, the next 95 metres is all about speed and fitnes. Key factors : Space beetween attackers - Good pass - Side step - Speed - Stamina
Developing attacking plays through the backs