An example of playing the ball from the top of a lineout
Men's - Good body position in contact & ball presentation 1
Men's - Lineout maul good defence 1
Men's - Lineout catch & maul drive 1
Junior - Ball off the top from lineout 2
Men's - Turnover and move the ball
Three phases of play with accurate passing and quick ball from each breakdown creates the opportunity for the scrum half to run through and score
Key factors : Present a target with your hands - Pass the ball laterally - Run straight / inside shoulder of the defender
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
Men's - Good body position in contact & ball presentation 2
Strong defence and a turnover allows two quick passes, (One long pass), and then attack the defence. The two passes have changed the channel of attack by 30 metres.
Key factors : Tackle and stay on your feet - Long quick pass / spin pass - Communicate loudly - Support the ball carrier on his shoulder
Men's - Turnover and move the ball 4
Men's - Lineout maul good defence 3
Sevens - Full Lineout 1
Men's - Exiting the 22m 1
Men's - Lineout maul good defence 2
Classroom session with Mike Catt - discussing the key points of attacking from a lineout
The core ball provides a variety of challenges to the player in both body management and technical competence
Expensive training equipment is not necessary and the simple rugby ball can provide an excellent technical and conditioning work out
Women's - Turnovers and move the ball
An example of setting up a maul after a catch and drive at a lineout
The Lions practice their lineouts
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
Classroom session with Mike Catt - discussing the key points of attacking from a lineout
A passage of play that shows how to attack with more attackers than defenders, a 3 v 2. The winger shows that strong running and determination can break tackles. Click on the practises in this section for coaching ideas
An example of a straight scrum.
Isolated technical practice
Courtesy of the SRU
A counter attack invlving moving the ball wide quickly, then attack defenders with support runners and finally a 2 v 1 to score in the corner. Key factors : Strong communication - Wide spin passes - Attacking the space around defenders - Support the ball carrier from behind - Offload with two hands - straight running - Flat pass
Dylan Hartley explains his own approach and routines for throwing into the line out and provides some tips and advice to young players
A well contested scrum from both teams. Good technique and body position ensure a solid and safe scrum. The red team use this restart to kick and gain territory. Key factors : Strong body position - Tight binding between the players - Calling - Players push in a straight line - Ball control from ther no 8
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.
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
Seven's is about creating chances and then taking them. In this clip the Blue team take the ball up the middle of the pitch to draw in defenders, after recycling the ball they have a 2 v 1 opportunity, a straight line of running and a flat wide pass creates the try. Key factors : Call early - Run straight - Wide spin pass - Catch and swerve to score
Quick ball is the platform to score tries from and one of the coaches tasks is to understand how to break defences down to create quick ball. Bath are famous for their attacking play and they are happy to share this technique and help others play fast rugby
Progressions are used to build the technical competency and the confidence of players learning to clear defenders away from the contact area. It is interesting to see that no contact shields are used
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
If the ball is tucked under one arm, the ball carrier is unlikely to throw a 10 metre miss pass. So are the attackers 2 and 3 places out the primary threat?
If the ball carrier is running with the ball in both hands, the immediate threat may have a wider radius
If two centres are running at a centre and a prop, the primary threat may be the space defended by the prop
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?
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
An opportunity for players to put what they have learnt on tackle technique into practice. Each tackle is observed by all other players who can give feedback. Ensure all players have a go at attacking and defending.
Stand side-on to progress towards the lateral pass. Push the ball rather than swinging so your hand is pointing to the target after the ball has been passed. Maintain soft hands when catching the ball
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
A variety of passes create a 2 v 1 which is executed perfectly for the outside attacker to score. Key factors : Different angles of running and support - Comunication - Ball presentation - Effective clearing of defenders at the breakdown - Accurate wide passes - Attack the inside shoulder of the last defender - Flat spin pass
Use this exercise to replicate a line break with one defender to beat. The attackers need to move the defender and execute a 2 v 1 while the initial defender tracks back to stop the pass. Also works movement at top end speed for the main attacker
A strong scrum from the black team turns over the ball for an attack. The left hand prop (Loose head) puts pressure on the Red team hooker so that he does not hook the ball effectively. Key factors : Tight binding - Low driving position - Working as a unit - Leg drive
Three phases of play with accurate passing and quick ball from each breakdown creates the opportunity for the scrum half to run through and score Key factors Present a target with your hands Pass the ball laterally Run straight / inside shoulder of the defender
A lone attacker must beat a single defender. This is great way to develop evasion skills in the attacker, and positioning for the defender.
A full contact game, conditioned with channels on either side of the pitch. The attacking team must get the ball to both channels before they are allowed to score a try.
This is to spread the attack out, and create more opportunities for turnover ball to occur.
NB - Please ensure players have completed a full upper body warm-up before going into this full contact session.
A progression from the 2 v 1, where a second pass is encouraged to move the ball away from the defender.
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
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.
Dropping the ball properly is considered the main priority for many kickers, if they get the drop right then the other techniques fall into place. Dave Walder from the Newcastle Falcons explains some of the skills
Tag Game - Tag Rugby 1
Northampton Saints and England hooker Dylan Hartley talks through his lineout throwing procedures and explains the importance of routine
This great game helps you work on your ball transfer and fend. It teaches players how to keep the ball away from contact increasing ball retention on the pitch!
The lineout provides an essential attacking platform. Log in to see advice and examples from pro players, suitable for elite, adult and youth players.
Some slightly different progressions in building upon the basic skills for an effective line out
The coach progresses the line out onto small units working together, adds in some competition and starts work with some five man options
“The line out principle is to catch the ball in a space where no-one else is.”
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
A strong scrum can be a great weapon for attack in seven's, in this clip the Red scrum puts pressure on the defending loose head (Right hand prop) which wheels the scrum and allows the defending scrum half to disrupt the ball forcing a turnover. Key factors : Tight binding - Low body position - Leg drive - Working as a unit
A quick lineout allows players to attack a "broken field" defence. Running at space moves the defenders and the suport player comes from depth behind the attacker to score. Key factors : Loud communication - Accurate spin pass - Attacking space - Trail support - Pop pass - Quick running
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.
Good tackle technique when chasing a player from behind. The defender gets to his feet quickly to contest the ball. Key factors : Head to one side - Arms around attackers waist and slide down - Keep your arms around the attackers legs - Use momentum to get back to your feet
Accurate kicking requires an understanding of how the foot should strike the ball. Expert kicking coach Dave Walder delivers a coaching clinic detailing the key factors and steps coaches should follow
A well organised re start with one main attacker challenging for the ball with support both in front and behind him, if the ball is knocked either side of the main catcher the ball will be gathered by his teammates. Great leg drive to continue the attack and a very long pass to complete the scoring. Key factors : Accurate kick - Focus on the ball - Sideways jump - Catch ball above head - Structured support
Lineout catch and drive drill
London Irish forwards talk through some of the elements that make an effective lineout, and how you can prepare for a match.
Use these quick and competitive games to practice good and strong ball presentation. Practice with high standards and it will come naturally in the games!