Setting up a lineout maul

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Most mauls form after a lineout. This simple session will show your forwards how to set up a dynamic maul from a lineout that moves forward and draws in defenders.

Warm up time: 5
Session time: 4-6
Development time: 6-9
Game time: 15-20
Warm down time: 7

What to think about

Though you might have set positions for players at the lineout, your team will benefit from players swapping positions in the session to help them develop their mauling ability. The player who rips the ball from the jumper depends on your set up. However, it is essential to have a player bind tight into the jumping support player. These support players can easily become unstable. The maul should aim to move forward. The catching jumper should face towards his own team and pull mauling team mates in towards him. NOTE: The binding and positioning in this session is one of a number of methods that can be used.

set-up

Catcher: Bring the ball down and hold it out to the ripper. Then draw in your supporting players.
Close supporters: Bind tight beyond the catcher.
Next supporters: Bind beyond the ripper and drive in towards the catcher.
Ripper: Grab the ball and then remain balanced waiting for the maul to drive forward. Face forward and hold the ball on the hip.

What you get your players to do

Split into groups of three with a ball – a front support, back support player and a catcher. The catcher jumps with the ball in his hands already (or is lifted). As he lands, the two support players bind beyond the catcher as he turns with his back to the opposition – as in the top picture. Swap the roles of the players. Develop by adding a defender who jumps with the catcher and then tries to disrupt the binding.

The catcher brings the ball down (either from a jump or lift). The support players bind over and beyond the catcher.

Development

Six players line up for a lineout, with one acting as the thrower. The catcher is already in possession of the ball and jumps as if just taking the ball in the air before the close support players bind on. Other players take up their positions until they eventually form the shape in the bottom picture. Walk this exercise through before letting the hooker throw in for real. Vary where in the lineout the ball will go, and change who binds on. Add two defenders to disrupt the lineout.

Related Files

core-212-setting-up-a-lineout-maul.pdfPDF, 421 KB

The thrower and fourth player in the lineout bind on to the close support players. The fifth player in the lineout should rip the ball.

Game situation

Split into a group of six lineout forwards and at least four defenders (who can be backs as well). Kick the ball “out” to mark the spot for a lineout. The lineout forwards have to form, win and drive forward the lineout five metres. Repeat five times, before changing personnel.

The catcher faces his own team, while the mauling players face up the field in driving positions. The ball is with the middle back player.

What to call out

“Don’t move the maul until it is balanced”
“Catcher, control the maul”
“Walk forward with small steps”

Dan Cottrell

Dan is a practising RFU Level 3 coach and coach educator. He coaches with the Bristol Bears DPP programme, is head coach of Bristol Schools U18s and the Rugby Performance coach for Bristol Grammar School.

He was head coach of Swansea Schools U15, Young Ospreys Academy, assistant coach with the Wales Women's Team for the 2010 World Cup, director of rugby for Cranleigh School, Surrey. He played for Bath, Bristol, Esher and Clifton, South West division, Gloucestershire and Surrey.

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