Front lifter ideal body and foot position

Give the front jumper every chance to be lifted well by ensuring your front lifter has a strong base and chest close to the jumper.

FOOT POSITIONS

The front lifter stands with his feet just over shoulder-width apart and level so he can provide a strong base for the jumper. The weight is off the heels.

BODY POSITIONS

• GOOD Chest up, closer to the jumper
• BAD Chest down, too far from the jumper

From that, the lifter sits back a little, has his chest upright, his head at about tummy button level so he’s looking at the core of the jumper. With his elbows bent and close to his body, he connects his hands to the outside of each leg, with his thumb just inside the thigh.

From this position, as the jumper goes up, the lifter can get close and underneath the jumper. If he leans forward before the jump, then he’s in danger of leaning forward in the lift, losing height and strength.

The other advantage of this position is that the jumper is very close to the 5m line, allowing him more opportunity to get in front of the opposition front jumper.

Bath’s Dave Attwood takes the ball at the front of the line, with his front lifter chest out, arms straight, head neutral

VIDEO

• The jumper goes almost straight up, not forward or backwards.
• To start the jump, the jumper makes a small counter movement with his knees. That is, he bends them a little before moving upwards. This acts as a trigger for the lifters.
• The front lifter has his chest up and out, moving the jumper up by straightening his legs, keeping his elbows bent.
• The front lifter does not shift his feet until the lift is completed. Only then does he manoeuvre the jumper.
• The lifter completes the lift on his toes.

PRACTICE

Without completing the lift, the jumper and front lifter work together on the timing.

Check for excellent technique before bringing in the back lifter.