Decoy switch from lineouts

Springing the surprise 

All of this so far is a decoy. Both defensive backs and loose forwards will be lining up to tackle 12 and looking for a possible turnover.  

With the defence ready to tackle the switch at this crucial point, 12 passes the ball to the attacking blindside winger. They cut through a gap between defensive loose forwards and slower tight five players. Those tight five players will be tied up in competing for the lineout. 

Key points about the decoy switch 

• If done early in the game the defensive loose forwards are very eager to get off the tail of the lineout and into the midfield, thus creating a corridor of opportunity to expose. 
• The winger can pick their angle to ensure they run for space and, at the last moment, veer away from any tight five cover. 
• All the outside attacking backs must make the switch look real and bring the defence onto them. 

Make middle ball more like back ball

Most throwers find a back ball throw a challenge. You can make middle ball more like back ball with these two simple ideas.

1. The 9 starts opposite the front jumper. As the ball is thrown, they move with the ball and take it running sideways as the middle jumper receives the ball. The middle jumper can see the 9 all the way and, if they can, delivers the ball as far towards the end of the lineout as they can.
2. The front player at the lineout runs to take the pass from the middle jumper. The 9, who has started opposite the middle jumper runs out towards the ball of the lineout, and receives the pass from the front player.