Rock solid catch and drive

Put your players into more realistic scenarios so they can test their skills in the same circumstances as they would in the game. It’s also a good test for the defenders too.

It creates great go forward and the two players on either side of the catcher prevent the ball from being grabbed by the opposition.

Start with a pod of three. One player (the catcher) has the ball and the lifters/supporters bind on making sure they have their feet, shoulders, hips and arms in the right places.

Now body positions have been established, add a fourth player to the pod plus a thrower . The lifters/support players (L) are on either side of the jumper/catcher (J), with 4 acting as the ripper. 

Call a cone the lineout is to be taken from. J is sealed off by both Ls and 4 takes the ball. They now bind on to J and all four look to drive forward. 

Progress to a full lineout with two more players (5 and 6) binding on to 4 once he has the ball. All six now drive forward with the thrower (2) joining to rip the ball when needed.

TECHNIQUE

Lifters/support players:

• Shoulders facing forward, not inwards.
• Feet in line not splayed.
• Arms are bound behind catcher/jumper, not in front of them.
• Hip to hip with the catcher/jumper.

The fourth player in the lineout comes in low. They take the ball square-on.