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The Lineout

"If you don't know what you are looking for you don't see it. "The Lineout" - Ian Snook

The lineout is a great tool  to create tactical changes within a game and also provide core concepts for the game plan based on your own strengths and weaknesses within your team.


It can be used to speed the game up; slow the game down; keep the ball away from the opposition strengths;  commit the opposition at their weaknesses; confuse the opposition; change the patterns and tempo; and establish various patterns from which to launch the next phase.


Much time needs to be devoted to lineouts at training; initially in the planning and unopposed training aspects, but eventually in competitive situations; both in small units and the full unit.


It is a good idea to establish a “Lineout Warm Up” which can be completed in 10/15 minutes and can be carried out before training and games.  Start with a few minutes of jogging and stretching followed by bounding and jumping exercises; then working in 3’s on the jump and lifting. Finally add a thrower  to the group and include an opposition group when ready.  The required techniques can be found in the “Coaching Toolbox”.  It is imperative to demand accuracy and concentration during this activity.
Following the warm up the players will be ready physically and mentally to begin their full session. Whatever you decide to do in the lineout you need to operate with some core concepts in mind.                    

1- The best lineout is no lineout.  Get the ball; get it in. 

2- Jog to every lineout. Be ready before the opposition. The longer the lineout takes to get organized the less chance of success.

3- Every player has a role in the lineout.  Success is based on everyone concentrating and carrying out their task. 

4- Every lineout is an opportunity to create pressure on the opposition.

You learn by watching televised games carefully.  Think about some of the following aspects when viewing each team’s  lineouts.


1-    How quickly is the ball in the hooker’s hands?                                                                                           
2-    How quickly is the team/s getting organized?
3-    Which player  is making the lineout calls?
4-    How are they grouping and spacing in the set up?  Why is it like this?
5-    What are the movements of each player?  Which ones are decoys? How do they achieve this?
6-    Does the thrower use  variations in trajectory and speed depending on where the ball is going?
7-    Do teams have a pre-determined call or do they wait to see where the opposition is lining up?
8-    Do teams use certain lineout formations in certain parts of the field? What are they trying to achieve?
9-    Which teams use short lineouts?   Are they effective?  Where do they focus their attack?
10-    Look at the jumping and lifting techniques.  Make a note of the key technical aspects.

If you watch carefully you will learn much more.  Discuss with your co-coach some ideas that would suit your team. Make a plan. Discuss it with the team leaders.  Don’t make it too complicated but make it interesting.  Tell the team why you are doing these lineouts and away you go.  Fine tune as the season progresses.


The Coaching Toolbox will have many activities and technical advice on lineouts. You need to sort out your philosophies based on your game plan, and make the lineout a key part of your game.

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