Being A Second Row- Lineout Drills And Scrum Technique.

Question
Mr. Shephard, I've played Rugby for a month now and love it! I feel confident as a Second Row (especially in lineouts), but I'd like to know how to make myself an even better player. Are there any drills that a Second Row can do to improve their jumping technique in lineouts or their rucking ability? Also, I understand basically what to do in a scrum but can you offer me specific tips for my position, to give myself an edge? Thank You!

Answer
Mr Lang,

The best training for a jumper is to train is with his lifters.

Important tips for the jumper:

-spring upwards from bend knees
-do not swing arms in large arc, but spring hands upward
-keep knees and ankles together once in the air and while being held up
-once the lifters start to lift, keep the body stiff as a board
-once the ball is caught, do not let it fall back towards the opposition, but bring it forward towards your own team.

The best way to train for rucks is develop good better position, good technique, and contact.

When coming into rucks or mauls, maintain good body position.  
-Come in low, touch the ground, and come up.  
-Tense the shoulders and neck, and keep the head up.  
-Bind immediately with either, or both, the opposition and your teammates.  -When pushing, keep the buttocks lower then the shoulder, and keep the spine in a straight line from head to rear (spine in line).  
-Come into the ruck/maul under control.  

Major requirements for the lock:

-Possess jumping ability to win clean ball at lineouts
-Ability to lock and drive the scrum effectively
-Provide focused and direct power during all phases of the game
-Be physically fit and possess good neck, body, and leg strength
-Have stamina and strength for second phase situations
-Bring total concentration to the position
-Have an ability to reach breakdowns quickly and to rip, ruck and maul effectively

Essential skills:

Handling:   
-To catch and deflect a ball at line-outs
-To catch a ball at kick-offs and drop outs
-To take and give a short pass
-To manipulate, rip out and roll off mauls
-To be able to make ball available in a tackle

Contact:
-To lend weight and force to both set and loose play
-To stand up in tackle
-To tackle in close situations
-A commitment to secure, protect and provide clean ball

Running:
-To run with determination and committed aggression
-To be able to run and sprint after strenuous physical work (especially important to support the backline from the scrum.

Lifting:  Get jumpers to their apex to receive the ball in the lineout.

NOTES:
-In the scrum, lineout, and loose play, the lock must understand the importance of correct body, feet, and head position.
-In the scrum, line-out and loose play, the lock must understand the importance of correct body mechanics, i.e. binding, grip, locking, snap shove, drives, channeling ball, foot pressure, angles etc.
-Develop lineout skills- i.e. timing of the jump, body position for jump, jumping aggressively; need for close communication between thrower and jumper.  Knowledge of different throws and the ability to work with a short lineout where timing and body movements become more critical is necessary.
-Ability to develop the skills required in the second and third row of rucks and mauls is essential (body position and mechanics, the drive, ball channels, tight binds etc).
-The primary job of the lock is to add strength and power, and to assist in winning clean ball.
-Fitness, strength, and stamina are essential and training is critical to develop them.

-Always be around the ball and GO FORWARD to put pressure the opposition

Good luck in rugby

Deane Shephard
Stuttgart RC