Lineout training should be based around getting the basics right first. When Gary Gold was coaching the South African team with Victor Matfield and they were the best lineout in the world, he used to say: “They know where the ball is going, but Victor will always beat them into the air.”
But a lineout is not just about the jump/lift. It’s also about what happens afterwards. Here are four activities to develop different aspects of this set-piece situation.
This session connects a lineout with what happens in the phase after the lineout. It is aimed at developing a relationship between the set piece and phase play, depending on whether the lineout works or not. MORE
A four-man lineout gives a great chance to win the ball and then attack with support into the opposition midfield. Here are the simple options to ensure clean ball to attack with. Set up a platform and space to attack with “spare” forwards. You have five forwards involved in the lineout, so three players can be in the backline. MORE
Not every lineout take is clean. Use this session to help your players learn how to recover the ball (or chase through onto opposition ball).
There are lots of complementary skills in this scenario type session: ground work, rucking, body positions, communication. MORE
Work on good setups and movement, jumping and organisation in your lineout pods with this dynamic activity. It should mix up roles of your players.
Let players try out different roles, even if it’s not perfect. That allows players to realise what works for all those involved in the lineout lift and jump. MORE
Use the catch and drive, or the front peel to make the best use of front ball. The front peel is the perfect counter punch to a defence that sets up to defend a catch and drive. MORE
It's easy to think that lineout front ball is only for a catch-and-drive to clear your lines, or to attack their try line from 5m. Yet, it can be used for off-the-top and front peels. But make sure you have the basics in place first. MORE
Ideally, a player is in the strongest position to scrummage throughout the scrum. However, with all the forces coming through contact, they will become unstable. Use these exercises to develop the body awareness to find stability. MORE
Following my webinar with Spencer Williams, who is the rugby professional at Culford School, here is the recording and the slides.
I learned a lot about how to work on scrummaging without a scrum machine, and not having the luxury of 8 v 8. We looked at some of the common problems players (and coaches) face. MORE