Three clever ways to defend lineouts

Space interceptor

Instead of simply anticipating where their jumper might be lifted and then moving to that place, get your player to jump into the space in front of their jumper and intercept the ball.

Always defend the front This tactic is simple: Always have a player jumping at the front of your opposition’s lineout. Even inside your own 22 it can be worth the risk. It’s particularly good as part of a strategy to always put your opponent under pressure.

Your jumper and the front lifter are the key players here. Your front lifter sets the target and has to watch the opposite lifter, especially their hands.

Your jumper must jump in line with the attacking front lifter to ensure he is in front, but not too far in front to miss the throw. The inside arm of your jumper must be up as soon as possible to intercept the throw.

Your “pods” (each group of jumper and two lifters) need to be able to move and work together as much as possible.

Bluff

Make your opponents guess which of your players is going to jump in defence. This disrupts their rhythm, giving you the opportunity to catch them unaware.

When defending the lineout, put jumpers in different places and line them up in different formations (for example, the hooker in the 5m channel). This keeps the throwing-in side guessing.

Consider occasionally setting up to look as though you’re going to throw up a jumper, while instead preparing to drive their maul, or vice versa. It can have the benefit of unnerving the opposition, forcing them to change their call and making them relax when they should not.

Defensive "rotator"

When defending against a seven-man lineout, try splitting your lineout in two. In the front group, use your hooker to lift, another lifter (probably the least mobile prop), and a front jumper. In the second group, have two jumpers and two lifters with the "rotator" standing between them.