Know your lineout language

Off the top

The catcher delivers the ball by passing it to the scrum half or any player behind. They make the pass immediately after the ball is caught, right at the top of the jump. At the front of the lineout the pass off the top may also act as a controlled deflection to the scrum half.

Catch and drive

The jumper brings the ball down to the ground and is met on the floor by a "receiver" who takes possession of the ball. The other forwards then bind around the receiver to create a driving maul.

Note that the catcher must be in contact with an opponent before the ball is moved to a player behind him. If he is not, this is obstruction and the referee can award a penalty against the catching team.

Shifting the point of attack

With the opposition increasingly tackling the catcher when they have landed after the jump, shifting the ball offers a counter to this ploy.

Upon landing the catcher needs to transfer the ball to a player two places to their side, and the receiver then sets the maul on them rather than on the catcher. The ball can be moved either towards the back or front of the lineout depending on how you wish to use the ball.

The peel

A “peel” is when a jumper in the air or a receiver on the ground passes the ball to a forward player and then runs around the front of the lineout into the 5m channel, or around the back of the lineout, to out flank opposition forwards and get behind them.

Situations in which teams create defensive weaknesses that peels can exploit are when the defenders lift either at the very front or at the very back of the lineout.

Playing with a small pack There are strategies you can use at the lineout to deal with the challenges of having a small set of forwards. On your ball Shorten the lineout and use lots of movement to create space for your jumpers. Encourage your players to get in front of their jumpers. If your hooker can hit the tail, throw there as much as you can, then use a back peel. In any event, get the ball away from the lineout as quickly as possible. Don’t catch and drive or use front peel moves. On their ball Lift your lightest player as quickly as possible to get in front of their jumper. If your players can’t steal their ball, they must stop the catch and drive. Hit the ball carrier low as soon as they land and get them to the ground before the drive starts. Don’t compete if you can’t. Smaller forwards tend to be faster and more nimble, so ensure your players are fit enough to overcome the opposition in open play.

Don't be clever at the first lineout

Referees often want to stamp their authority and style on the game as soon as possible. The first scrum and first lineout is the moment when they spend a little more time sorting out the positions.

This causes a problem if you have a special lineout tactic that relies on catching the opposition when they are unaware, such as a quick lineout. This tactic is often thwarted at the first lineout because the referee insists on the correct gaps and therefore slows down the whole process. Instead, opt for a lineout play that takes time to set up.