Gary Gold, the former Springbok forwards coach who worked with the peerless Victor Matfield, said that if you have the best technique it often doesn’t matter if the opposition know where you are going jump, you will beat them anyway.
Technically, we need the thrower (and it doesn’t need to be the hooker) to throw accurately at his jumpers. We want our jumpers to get into the air quickly and if we are using lifters, for them to maximise the lifting height. All this needs to be replicated under pressure.
They are lots of moving parts in a lineout and plenty of scope for error because the players are very reliant on each other to perform their roles accurately. These drills and activities will help your players build technique and eliminate error:
Mind your language
First, the players need to understand the language of the lineout, which helps them appreciate why they are focusing on a particular aspect.
How do you take advantage of your players' skills? Conversely how do you adapt your plans to overcome an opponent who is disrupting your lineout? Here are some tactics to consider. MORE
Effective lifting
We then look more closely at lineout lifting. We have two sessions on the best ways to propel your jumper into the air in the most effective manner.
The lifter’s role is to lift and support the jumper while the jumper is in the air and bring them safely to the ground. The lifter also plays an important part in the formation of the driving maul from the lineout. MORE
Throwing in
Finally, we have two sessions on the hooker throw. First, we look at how they prepare themselves. And then we look at the best way to complete a throw.
Your own rugby lineout is a key attacking platform in the game. However good your jumpers and rugby tactics are, the throw is essential to success. The starting point for accurate throwing is a good set up by the hooker before the throw. MORE
Pressurise opposition lineouts by making their front ball a risky option. You need to combine speed, accuracy and anticipation to read their movements and beat them to the throw. Here’s how… 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
