close
LOGIN
Hooker lineout defence
The hooker has a key role defending the lineout. Their initial positioning and awareness of their role determine how well they do their job.
The lineout laws say the defending hooker must be in the five-metre channel but not within two metres of the line.
The defending hooker should stand in a position to see both the opposition hooker and the opposition lineout.
From here, they can start to read the likely outcomes from the lineout: a catch and drive pass, off the top to the backs, or a front peel into their channel.
Unless the ball is thrown over the middle of the lineout, they should maintain this position until they are certain of where the ball is going.
Their focus at every lineout is on the ball in the attacking hooker’s hands. Their first job is to try to crack the opposition calls. They then have three key defensive responsibilities, as prioritised below.
DEFENDING HOOKER PRIORITIES
- Cut off any attacking options in the five-metre channel, from either a ball thrown back to the attacking hooker or a front peel move.
- Once the threat at the front is over, he defends behind the lineout allowing the defending 9 to push out behind the backs.
- If the ball is moved immediately away from the lineout, they defend across the pitch as an extra back-row player. They should stay inside the player with the ball as the ball is passed across the pitch.
Related Files
Latest Issue
Subscribe Today
Subscribe Today
Newsletter Sign Up
Coaches Testimonials
Gerald Kearney, Downtown Las Vegas Soccer Club
Paul Butler, Florida, USA
Rick Shields, Springboro, USA
Tony Green, Pierrefonds Titans, Quebec, Canada
Subscribe Today
Latest Issue
Be a more effective, more successful rugby coach
In a recent survey 89% of subscribers said Rugby Coach Weekly makes them more confident, 91% said Rugby Coach Weekly makes them a more effective coach and 93% said Rugby Coach Weekly makes them more inspired.
Get Weekly Inspiration
All the latest techniques and approaches
Rugby Coach Weekly offers proven and easy to use rugby drills, coaching sessions, practice plans, small-sided games, warm-ups, training tips and advice.
We've been at the cutting edge of rugby coaching since we launched in 2005, creating resources for the grassroots youth coach, following best practice from around the world and insights from the professional game.
