Lineout maul

Most mauls are set up from a lineout – the “catch and drive”. The modern lineout maul is not immediately driven as soon as the jumper touches down with the ball. The attacking players use a catch-set-ready-drive sequence from the lineout to build the best base for the maul.

Warm up time: 5-7
Session time: 10-15
Development time: 10-15
Game time: 10-15
Warm down time: 5-7

What to think about

To create a secure maul from the lineout, the ball should be caught cleanly and the maul set up before the drive. Otherwise the maul quickly becomes unstable and easy to disrupt. When the lineout jumper lands with the ball, he can be pulled down by his opposite number. In reality this can be before his feet touch the ground, despite the best intentions of the referee. The player who is supporting behind the jumper should act as a further barrier and blocker to reduce this danger. The supporter turns the jumper in the air, getting his body between the opposition and the jumper as he comes down. He should “bring down” the jumper as he would normally, though this technique is often forgotten in the effort to win the jump in the first place.

set-up

1. Jumper: Bring the ball down and turn with your back to the opposition. Direct the set up of the maul.
2. First supporter: Rip the ball off the jumper, and transfer it to your back hip. Drive forward with the shoulders and hips square.
3. Next two supporters: Drive over the first supporter on either side to create a wedge.
4. Last supporter: Take the ball off the hip of the first supporter and bind on to create a “T” shape.
5. Once set, drive forward.

What you get your players to do

Stand four players in a lineout formation with another player 3m away with a ball. Place three ruck pad holders opposite this lineout. Get the ball carrier to throw to one of the two middle players. Make the players form a maul in slow motion before driving into the bags. Stop once the group has moved 3m forward.