Under 11/13 – Lineouts

Lineouts at this level must have 8 from each side and although there is no lifting there is competition for the ball and the coach can introduce a few variations to the game such as a lineout drive.
The key coaching components are to improve the technical aspects of the thrower, jumper and support players.

The THROW
Key Factors
Overhead

1. Non-throwing hand supports the far end of the ball.
2. The throwing hand has the thumb underneath and the fingers spread along the seam.
3. The ball is held just behind the head with the elbows pointing forward at the target.
4. Hips and shoulders are square.
5. Slight lean back from the hips, slight knee bend, no backswing with arms.
6. Sway forward – extend legs – keep the shoulders square.
7. Elbows and hands above shoulder height.
8. Chin up – eyes focussed on point of contact.
9. Hands move directly down the middle line of the lineout – follow through and keep hands up.
10. Hands finish pointing towards the target – keep them there.
11. Use wrists for lobs by rotating the ball backwards.
12. Spiral throw using the strong wrist – help guide with the non-throwing hand.
13. These are guidelines. Players can still throw successfully with variations of technique.

Underarm

1. Young players may find it easier and more accurate to use the underarm throw. Remember accuracy is the key.
2. Hold the ball with the end facing head height of the front players in the lineout.
3. Have fingers spread down the sides of the ball.
4. There may be a preference to have the stronger hand slightly underneath to impart the spiral on release.
5. Hold the ball at thigh height.
6. The elbows are facing slightly outwards to help with the propulsion.
7. Lean forward and push the hips and arms forward to propel the ball.
8. Focus the eyes on the target area.
9. Follow through with the arms and keep the fingers pointing to the target after the throw.

ACTIVITIES
1- Accuracy
Mark a spot on the goalposts and see how many times you can hit it /10
Throw along a line (side-line/tryline). Extend the distance. See how far you can throw before losing accuracy.
Coach should watch and correct technique:
Errors: Ball tumbles – spread fingers and thumb / watch the release – open fingers for spiral
Not Straight – check feet & hips are square / watch the hand and fingers release; both must be pointing directly down the line and stay up in a follow through motion.
No power – elbows may be a bit tight / more use of the trunk and wrists
Inconsistent length – watch where the hands finish / they should be pointing to the target.

2- Developing Coordination
In pairs with a ball.
On knees start a few metres apart.
Using the overhead throw accurately to your partners hands held above their head.
This will improve upper body, arms and hands technique and strength.
Keep moving a greater distance apart.

3- Building Strength
In particular the abs need to be strong (for all forward play)
Do some trunk activities such as crunchies.
For arms and shoulders do press-ups and any other activities you choose.

THE JUMP
Although there is no lifting at this level the lineouts are competitive so the better your jumpers the more likely your team will have success.
Key Factors
Technical:

1. Stance: the hands and elbows are close together with the hands facing upwards near the chin. The knees should have a 3-5cm bend ready to explode. The inside leg is slightly forward. Chin is up and eyes on the ball.
2. Jump: slight dip in the knees before stepping forward with the inside leg and bringing the outside leg up to plant alongside the inside leg about shoulder width apart. Drive up from the legs whilst driving the arms upwards without a swing. Look up, point the toes and tense the core so that the body is strong. Reach up with both hands, fingers spread wide and thumbs underneath as the target area. Use soft hands to catch the ball and pull it in to the chest to secure it.
3. Landing: practice a 90 degree turn after the catch so that the player ends up facing their own halfback when they come down with the ball. Bend the knees to absorb the impact with one leg out near the halfback and the other one directly opposite (parallel to the side-line). Poke the bottom out towards the opposition, bend the knees and lean towards your own team so that the jumper is in a strong position.

Tactical:

1. Understand the options and have a call so that your team knows which jumper is going to receive.
2. Generally at this level it would be a good idea to step forward and catch the ball in front of the jumper who is opposite.
3. There are several options that the jumper is responsible for: the team might require OTT Ball (Off the top) where the jumper catches it and as quickly as possible passes it to the halfback without tucking it in to their chest.
4. The jumper may be required to bring it in to their chest as they come down, hold it momentarily and when the halfback calls for it release it to the halfback.
5. The third option could be when a ‘drive’ is called and they will hold the ball in a strong position for the forwards to form a drive on them.

ACTIVITIES
1- Technique
The coach works 1 on 1 with each jumper as they go up, catches a ball thrown from a short distance, and takes it in and down. Run through all the technical detail.

2- Standing Snaps
Partner stands in front of the jumper and throws the ball anywhere within 180 degrees above their shoulders. The jumper must catch the ball and snap it on to their chest with two hands as quickly as possible.

3- Coordination
The thrower and the jumper practice together to get the timing and the delivery correct. Try and speed up the throw and the jump the more the players improve.

The SUPPORT PLAYERS
Although they are not lifting the support players should be learning their roles both on each side of the jumper and when they are not involved in the actual jumping component.

Key Factors

1. Each player must know their role regardless of where they are positioned in the lineout.
2. The players on either side of the jumper are responsible for stepping in close to the jumper, facing forward in a crouch with knees bent, body in a low pushing position, chin up and reaching in past the jumper and binding around their back as they come to the ground. They must be in a strong position ready to protect the jumper and drive forward.
3. If there is no drive the other players in the lineout must be watching the ball and ready to grab any loose ball or run off in support or defence.
4. If there is a drive the jumper and two close supports act as the front row in the scrum. Another player is nominated to drive on to the jumper to secure the ball and keep driving whilst a player from each side will drive in on each side of the person driving on the jumper. Get low, bind up, pump the legs and get it going forward. This leaves two forwards who can join the drive or be available when the ball is released. They can be involved in the plan from the drive.

ACTIVITIES
1- Coordination Around the Jumper
Practice in 4’s. Thrower, Jumper, two support players.
Coach the technical aspects.
Do these unopposed then throw in a defender or two who try to get the ball once it has been caught.

2- 3 v 3
One team is nominated to win the ball. The other team are nominated to upset it once the jumper is on the ground.
One team has a silent call and throws in. The other team will compete and try to upset the ball. Get your jumper giving an indication when they are going to jump with a wink or a nod.

3- Forwards v Backs
The forwards have a lineout 10 metres from the tryline and must drive it over for a try. The backs are trying to stop the drive.

LINEOUT PLAYS USING FORWARDS
Much fun can be had devising lineout plays. Your team members may see something on television they would like to try out. If it is not too complicated, and they seldom are, then give it a go. Have some fun.

1-Using the Tail to Threaten the Opposition Backs
Best throw is to the jumper at the front of the lineout (No 2 in the LO)
As the ball is thrown in the back two players in the LO drop back 5 metres.
The ball can be OTT or taken in before delivery. Experiment with this.
The halfback passes it to the closest forward who targets the player at the end of the opposition LO.
As they threaten they pass to their team mate who is aiming at the first-five in the opposition.
The forwards not involved in the jumping group should be hard on their heels now and the 12 can come up in support also.
Make a plan from there. Remember you don’t want a ruck. You want to keep the ball going forward with passing as much as possible.

2- Using the Front of the Lineout
Throw to 2 or 4 in the LO
After the ball is thrown and taken in the back two come running to the front.
The halfback moves back and the ball is passed to the second runner.
They run around the front with the other forward and the thrower outside them and the halfback in behind that group to support in the pocket.

3- How Good Are You?
Throw deep to No 6 in the LO
7&5 support them at the sides. And begin the drive.
3 comes around and drives on 6. They drive forward a short distance only before ripping the ball back. The other 4 forwards are wrapping outside No 3 so they are ready to start a passing movement in close. Each player should be deep enough to burst on to a short pass from the man inside. Sort out which forwards go where – who receives the pass etc.

4- Where Do We Go?
In your team run the forwards need to know where the go if the backs have a passing movement.
The jumping group are generally not going to go to the next play but the one after that, or maybe the next time they are involved could be another phase away. If it goes to the middle of the field they might stay where they are for the ball to come back. If it goes wide they might position up in the midfield waiting for the ball.
The closest couple of forwards, probably 6 & 7 in your lineout will head to the breakdown and help the backs retain the ball or continue the play.
The next three including the thrower might hit the blindside if the breakdown is in midfield or they might line up behind the first and second receivers if the ball has gone wide and is about to come back. Please don’t use them to hit up close to the ruck – get them running and passing as much as possible.

5- Defensive Concepts
Get your jumper stepping forward in front of the opposition jumper so they can catch the ball before it arrives at the intended target man.
Get both 2 & 4 doing that in every lineout.
If the opposition start a drive get six of your forwards in against them, getting lower than the opposition, binding on an opposition player or one of your own and pumping the legs. Keep your eyes open and your chin up so you know what is going on. There can be one player at the front and one at the back ready to make a tackle if the drive comes that way.