Understanding the fundamental skills necessary for successful lineouts is crucial for any rugby player. This section focuses on three essential skills: jumping, timing, and communication, all of which are vital for executing effective lineouts.

Jumping

Jumping is a critical skill for lineouts as it allows players to gain height and catch the ball effectively. Players must work on their vertical leap, balance, and core strength to become proficient jumpers. Emphasis should be placed on both the physical technique and the ability to anticipate the throw.

Timing

Timing is another key element for successful lineouts. Players must develop an instinctive sense for when to leap and coordinate their movements with the thrower's actions. Practicing with varied throws can help players improve their timing and adapt to different situations during a match.

Communication

Effective communication among team members is essential in lineouts. Players need to clearly convey their intentions and strategies to ensure everyone is on the same page. This includes calling out signals, confirming positions, and coordinating movements. Developing a system of verbal and non-verbal cues can significantly enhance team performance in lineouts.

By focusing on these key skills, students will build a solid foundation for participating in lineouts, contributing to the overall success of the team during games.

In a rugby lineout, each player has a specific role that contributes to the success of the play. Understanding these roles is crucial for effective execution. The primary roles in a lineout are the lifters, jumpers, and throwers.

Lifters

The lifters are responsible for propelling the jumper into the air to catch the ball. This requires strength, coordination, and timing. Lifters must position themselves correctly and synchronize their movements to ensure stability and height. Effective communication between lifters and jumpers is essential to anticipate the timing and direction of the lift.

Jumpers

Jumpers are the players who leap into the air to catch or intercept the ball. They need agility, timing, and spatial awareness to outmaneuver opponents and secure possession. Jumpers must also have a keen understanding of positioning to anticipate the throw's trajectory and adjust their jump accordingly.

Throwers

Throwers, typically the hookers, are charged with delivering the ball accurately and at the right height for the jumpers. Precision and consistency are key skills for throwers, as any deviation can result in a turnover. Throwers must also communicate effectively with the jumpers to decide on the throw's target and timing.

By understanding and mastering these roles, players can enhance their effectiveness in lineouts, contributing to their team's overall performance on the field.

In this section, students engage in practical drills designed to enhance individual skills crucial for executing successful lineouts. The focus is on developing accuracy in throwing and precision in jumping, both of which are essential for effective participation in lineouts.

Activity 1: Throwing Accuracy

Begin with a throwing drill that emphasizes accuracy and control. Students pair up, with one acting as the thrower and the other as the receiver. The thrower practices delivering the ball accurately to a target zone marked on the wall or with cones placed at varying distances. Encourage students to adjust their grip and stance to improve their aim and trajectory.

Provide feedback on their technique, focusing on the alignment of their shoulders, the follow-through of their arms, and the release of the ball. Rotate roles after a few minutes to ensure everyone has the opportunity to practice both throwing and receiving.

Activity 2: Jumping Precision

Next, move on to a jumping drill aimed at enhancing timing and precision. Set up a series of markers or low hurdles to simulate a lineout situation. Students practice jumping vertically to reach the highest point possible while maintaining balance and control.

Emphasize the importance of timing their jump with an imaginary throw, and encourage them to focus on their foot positioning and core stability. Provide individual feedback, highlighting areas for improvement such as the timing of their leap or their landing technique.

Conclude the drills with a brief discussion on how these individual skills contribute to the overall success of a lineout, setting the stage for the upcoming team coordination exercises.

Begin this section by emphasizing the importance of teamwork and coordination in executing successful lineouts. Explain that these exercises will help students apply the skills discussed earlier in a team context, allowing them to experience the dynamics of working together during a lineout.

Exercise 1: Lineout Formation xxx

Organize students into groups of seven to simulate a typical lineout formation. Assign roles to each student, ensuring that there are lifters, jumpers, and a thrower. Guide the teams to form a straight line, with the lifters positioned on either side of the jumper. The thrower should stand slightly back, ready to deliver the ball.

Exercise 2: Synchronization Drill

Instruct each group to practice their timing by performing a series of synchronized lineouts. The thrower should call out a signal to initiate the lineout, prompting the lifters to lift the jumper at the precise moment the ball is thrown. Encourage students to communicate effectively, making adjustments to their timing and positioning as needed.

Exercise 3: Competitive Lineout Challenge

Introduce a friendly competition between groups to add an element of challenge. Set up two lines facing each other and have them compete to see which team can complete the most successful lineouts within a given timeframe. This exercise aims to enhance quick thinking and adaptability under pressure.

Conclude the team exercises with a brief discussion, allowing students to share their experiences and insights on what strategies helped them succeed in their lineout coordination. Encourage them to reflect on how these skills can be applied in a real game situation.

Free standing In circle around teacher Follow actions to lyrics Parent out of water

Teacher needs to sing song slowly then faster and faster as lyrics change

Development

Needs to be able to maintain an independent standing position while moving body

Development in Water

Child does not need physical and emotional support from parent

Free standing Lined up across pool Single arm stroking holding dumbbell or kick board to end of pool Eyes looking down Change arms Repeat Parent poolside

Child may naturally kick - if so encourage

Development

Needs to be able to demonstrate windmill arms

Development in Water

Needs to be able to float on front

Place 8 hoops (of 4 different colours) in a circle large enough for the class to move around in. In each hoop place 3-4 rugby balls. For the first round players work individually to pick up a ball from a hoop and transfer it to the other matching colour hoop. If a player picks up a ball from a yellow hoop, they must run with the ball in two hands and score a try in the other yellow hoop. When they score this try they can award themself with 1 point. Time the activity and at the end the player who scored the most amount of tries is the winner. 

For the second round of hoop to hoop get the players to pair up. This time one player will pick up the ball and the pair must complete three rugby passes before they reach the matching colour hoop. Passes can be in any direction and players are able to run with the ball. When completing the passes it's important that the pair are standing side by side and the ball starts from their outside hip. Again, time this actitivty and the pair with the most amount of tries are the winner. 

For the third round of hoop to hoop you can add in two defenders (which could be the winners of round 2). These defenders are now able to both intercept the ball, or tag the player if they have a ball in their hand. If the ball gets intercepted or the player gets tagged, they must return that ball to the hoop they picked it up from and must get another one from another hoop. The pair that scores the most amount of tries will be the winner. 

Modifications

Move the hoops closer or further depending on class size or ability. Change the number of passes that the pairs need to complete. Increase or decrease the number of defenders.

Students are split into two teams, the "Dodgers" and the "Rollers". Rollers stand on a spot along the sideline, with a ball each. On "Go" the dodgers must try to get to the finish line without getting hit by a ball. If a dodger gets hit then the person that hit them gets a point. If the dodger makes it all the way to the finish line without being hit then they get a point. Once all the dodgers are through, the whistle will sound and the rollers collect their balls and return to the spots. After the dodgers have had a few turns the teams swap over.

Modifications

Change what the runners have to do when they get hit (sit down, stand on one leg).