Lineout and Scrum

The lineout and scrum set pieces to restart play were the focus of today's u14 training - with a reduced turnout going into Easter and the school holidays. Last week, Dom carried out another excellent training highlighted by Patrick from Rugby WA (and the UWA 1st Grade Premiership side) carrying out specialist tackling coaching for the boys in every junior age group.

After stretches and warmups led by Tony, where everyone took turns picking an exercise, we did an exercise in running straight between cones while passing the ball along the line to reinforce the tackle-ruck work we have been doing week by week. For lineouts, we started with throwing the ball in pairs - elbows close to body, smooth throw mostly using the arms overhead with some body movement, feet side by side for balance or leading foot forward. Fast, low throws and loopy, high throws - it's more difficult than it looks. Lifting and support, push the player upwards grabbing his shorts at the thighs and below the buttocks. The jumper must jump unsupported then lift and carry him to ground, ideally holding the ball to his chest, the players closing together to stop the opposition breaking through the lineout, for the ripper - the receiver - to take the ball. Alternatives being to knock the ball down to the receiver or catch the ball and pass it directly - okay but not as safe as carrying the ball safely to ground.

The backs aligned themselves at 10m to carry the ball forward, the ball carrier pretending to the tackle and going to ground in order to simulate multiple phases of play - the ball carrier stretching back to place the ball, someone clearing out the opposition from the ruck to make time for the scrum half to clear the ball to the first receiver. Options to go to the backs on the open side, to the other winger or forwards on the blind or short side, or to throw a cutout pass, or loop passes or to add another player, for example, the number eight forward to drive through the backs. Kicking options include chip kicks to make tactical advantage ot kicking for touch to take field position.

Scrum practice from basics, 1-on-1, 2-on-2 (difficult) and 3-on-3 to give a front row had some success but the boys could not form up square, backs straight - not as easy as it looks and a lot more practice needed, especially with contested scrums 5-on-5 or 5-on-8 - it is still preseason, even so that is our whole team... Some discussion and practice of kicks for centre restarts, 22m dropouts, 5m scrums in preparation for the trial game in a couple of weeks time.