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Principles of Lineouts

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Credits to RFU Coaching development courses for the following content. From the Principles of Lineout module. Attending the course is highly recommended to gain a deeper understanding of the principles and practical application of lineouts in rugby union including games and drills that can be used in training.

Lineouts are a key part of rugby union, providing a structured way to restart play after the ball has gone out of bounds. There are regarded as a contest for possession from U16 to Seniors, where attacking sides have an opportunity to win ball and create go-foward. Whilst a defending team can apply pressure to halt an attacking teams continuity.

Here are some fundamental principles to consider when executing lineouts:

  1. Movement Skills - Players need to be agile and able to move quickly to get into position for the lineout across the floor and in the air.
  2. Individual Actions - Each player must master specific skills such as jumping, lifting, and throwing to ensure the lineout is executed effectively.
  3. Working as a Unit - Coordination and communication among team members are crucial for a successful lineout. Players must work together to time their jumps and lifts, as well as to deceive the opposition.

1. Movement Skills

  • Tranisitions
    • Moving forwards, backwards, sideways
    • Turning
    • Stopping
  • Jumping & Landing
  • Squatting - (For Lifting)

2. Individual Actions

  • Trow
  • Lift
  • Jump & Land
  • Catch & Deliver

3. Working as a Unit

  • Communication
  • Timing
  • Deception
  • Lifting - I-Frame, Not A-Frame
  • Support I.e. Setting a maul.

The above executed well allows a team to win their own ball and disrupt the opposition's ball. Win the Space.

Movement Skills

Note

These are fundamental movement skills that should be developed and practiced regularly for all players to ensure safe ability to execute lineouts.

Moving Forwards

Accelerate by leaning in the direction you want to go, pushing through the floor. Have a clear step pattern when leading in to the jump (step to decelerate – hop to stabilise and preload jump – jump vertically).
Turning (turning 90-180 degrees)

180-deg turn (hip turn)

Drop body height whilst pivoting on your inside leg.
Turn hips and lean your body towards the intended direction. Push through the floor projecting your body towards the target (Stay low if lifting). *Top Tip - Body height is a key indicator on success when turning. Running forward and then having to turn 180-degress requires the player to their drop body height and turn quickly. Staying tall can be inefficient and take too long (i.e. The race can be lost!)

90 degree turn (drop step)

Lean your body towards the intended direction. Push off your outside leg (opposite foot to direction) turning towards your intended action. Moving backwards

Clear controlled step pattern underneath your hips.
Keep chest up with a slight forward lean.
Stopping

Decelerate stopping your forward momentum predominantly through your lead foot (split stance).
Lower body height flexing through your knees and hips.
Keep chest up with a slight forward lean.

Jumping & Landing

Jump

  1. Jump off two feet creating vertical propulsion.
  2. Stay as long and tall as possible in the air when jumping.

Land

  1. Flex through your hips and knees to cushion the landing.
  2. Land with weight coming through the whole foot.
  3. Keep your chest up and back straight (hip hinge).
  4. Keep your knees in line with your toes.

Squatting (For Lifting)

  1. Feet comfortable width apart.
  2. Arms out in front.
  3. Squat down so thighs parallel to the ground.
  4. Chest up with a straight back.
  5. nsure your knees stay in line with your toes.
  6. Having a proficient squat pattern movement will support a player to be able to lift safely and effectively.

Individual Actions

Throwing

  1. Set up with body facing the lineout, staying tall.

  2. Regular hand placement (often with the dominant hand further back), with ball pointing straight towards the target.

  3. Engage the core and bring the ball back behind the head.

  4. Fully extend chest and arms pushing through the ball with an equal release from both hands.

  5. Follow through with both hands towards the target.

Lifting

  1. Maintain the Tower of Power body position.

  2. Grip with thumbs on the inside of the leg – Front lifter grips under quads + Back lifter under buttocks.

  3. Drive up through your legs using momentum of jump to aid lift.

  4. Finish by stepping into the lift with feet parallel.

  5. Bring the jumper down with both hands safely (IMPORTANT POINT).

After the lift:

  1. Both lifters transition into a low Tower of Power facing forwards towards the opposition.

  2. Both lifters bind tightly with their arms around the waist of the jumper.

  3. The Jumper stays low and either pops the ball to the No.9 / receiver or a maul can be formed.

Jumping & Landing

  1. Keep your head and chest up pre jump.

  2. Jump using both feet, pushing through the balls of the feet.

  3. Drive arms up and keep arms & hands inline and close to the body.

  4. Keep the core engaged throughout the jump.

  5. Land from the same spot you jumped from with soft knees to cushion landing.

Catching & Delivering

  1. Keep eyes on ball the whole time.

  2. Reach for the ball with both hands together, catching the ball at the earliest opportunity.

  3. Look at No.9 / receiver & rotate upper body, push ball down towards receiver, pushing through wrists and fingertips.

Or

Bring ball into chest, rotate body towards receiver and land safely with ball in two hands.

Working as a Unit

Work as Pod of 3

  • 2 Lifters + 1 Jumper = Pod of 3
  • Timning of the jump and lift is crucial and needs to be practised to ensure safety and effectiveness.
  • The Pod of 3 need to work together to ensure the jump is timed correctly with the throw.

Timing with thrower

The jumper should keep eyes on thrower, with the jumper meeting the ball at the top of the jump.

The type of throw (speed & shape) and distance between thrower and jumper will change the timing.

Does the jumper jump when the throw is made or does the hooker throw when the jumper goes up?

The general rule of thumb would be:

  • Jump then Throw towards the front of the Lineout.

  • Throw then Jump in the middle to the back of the Lineout.

Receiver working with catcher

The receiver needs to be fully aware of where the ball is being thrown and also needs to be in a position that can be seen by the catcher in order to aid the delivery of the ball from the catcher.

The catcher needs to focus on the accuracy and speed of the delivery to the receiver.

Communication

A lineout can often struggle to be effective without all players knowing their roles and the communication (both verbal and body language) being simple but really effective.

Things to consider:

  • The numbers in the lineout.

  • The call or signal (where the ball is going to be thrown or how the non-throwing team are going to defend).

  • The jumper and thrower connecting.

  • The jumper talking to lifters.

  • The receiver talking to jumper.

Win the Space

Win the floor & air race

Use speed and accuracy of the movement skills to get into position quicker than the opposition to win the space.

Deception

Use body language and eye contact to deceive the opposition of where the ball is going to be thrown. Combine with turning, stopping and changing direction to get into the best position to win the ball.

Further Resources

RFU Principles of Lineout

Download - RFU Lineout FAQ