Lineout throws never go straight
Crooked throws, lost lineouts and the referee giving the ball away
Why it happens
- Throwing straight is a skill that needs lots of short, regular practice.
- Throwers rush, or throw with one hand.
- Catchers move before the call, so the throw has no target.
What to say
✓ Say this
- “Set, call, throw. Same every time.”
- “Straight first, far later.”
- “Great throw! Right down the line.”
✗ Not this
- “Just get it in!”
- Changing the thrower every lineout.
- Blaming the catchers for a crooked throw.
The drill ladder
Move a group up a level only when they hit the "ready for next level" sign. It's fine for groups to be on different levels.
Throw to target
How it works
- One player throws two-handed overhead to a partner standing 5 metres away with hands up.
- The ball should arrive straight, at the hands, every time. Count straight throws out of 10.
- Step back a metre each time the pair gets 8 out of 10.
Coaching points
- Feet shoulder-width, both hands on the ball.
- Throw straight over the top, follow through to the target.
- Straight first, distance later.
Ready for the next level when: Throwers hit the target 8 out of 10 times from 8 metres.
Lineout throw and catch
How it works
- Mark a straight line with cones. The thrower stands at the end of the line, two catchers stand on the line, 5 and 7 metres away.
- The thrower calls a catcher and throws straight down the line to them. Catchers jump on the spot, no lifting.
- Rotate jobs. Count straight throws.
Coaching points
- The ball travels along the cone line, not across it.
- Catchers: hands up, eyes on the ball.
- No lifting. Catchers jump on their own.
Ready for the next level when: Throws go straight down the line to the called catcher most of the time.
Lineout walkthrough
How it works
- Set up a lineout, unopposed, with the thrower, catchers and backs in their spots.
- Call a catcher, throw straight, catch, and pass the ball to the scrum half and on to the backs.
- Repeat from different parts of the pitch. Check your age group's lineout rules with the official text.
Coaching points
- Everyone knows their spot before the throw.
- One clear call, everyone hears it.
- No lifting.
Ready for the next level when: The team sets up and plays from an unopposed lineout without stopping.
Lineout throw challenge
How it works
- Each group has a thrower and two catchers. The coach calls a catcher at random.
- Score a point for a straight throw that's caught. Lose a point for a crooked throw.
- First group to 10 wins. Rotate throwers.
Coaching points
- Same routine every throw: set, call, throw.
- Straight beats far.
- Catchers: move only when the call is yours.
Ready for the next level when: Throwers stay straight under the pressure of a score.
Lineouts and safety
- Keep catchers jumping on their own unless a trained coach is teaching lifting.
- Check your age group's lineout rules with the official RFU text.
Common coaching mistakes
- Only practising lineouts once a month.
- Lifting in practice without trained coaching. Keep catchers jumping on their own.
- Long throws before short throws are straight.