Coaching points for Lineout lifting

Improving the core skills is important to a player and the team. But players, no matter how high their arousal levels are will need some new ways of approaching the core skill to add variety to the practices and prevent the skill becoming tedious.

But first, before attempting this skill, the muscles have to be warm and relaxed without any areas of tightness. All of this will prevent any form of injury occurring during any lineout jumping or lifting.

1. Selection

Who should be lifted?

A selection somatotypes should be involved being lifted, it’s not just the second rows being the only jumpers. A Light and nimble player should be lifted at number two and a taller ectomorph at four. The number two jumper needs to be quick on their feet and be able to rise quickly to take a timed ball, which is thrown flat. Number four needs to get as high as possible, though not as quickly, because the ball is more likely to be lobbed. A flanker could be used as the front jumper.

Who should lift?

Again it may be worth ignoring the traditional combinations of props for lifters (front row) and considering what each numbered jumper needs. As number two needs a quick lift it would suit a shorter player, but certainly a strong, well co-ordinated lifter.
They will need to focus on getting the player up in time with the thrower, to beat their opposition jumper to the ball. In the middle of the line, the taller lifters will be more useful, because the type of ball that comes in will typically be thrown higher, to clear the front of the line.

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2. The mechanics

Lifting and jumping:

Once the players are chosen, some might need to be educated or re-educated in the art of lifting and jumping.
Lifting is very similar to the snatch and jerk in weightlifting. A wide base is used, with both feet and hips square in the direction of the player to be lifted. A common mistake is to lift from the arms. However it is more efficient to use the large muscle groups in the legs to propel the player upwards initially, with the arms providing the final push at the top.

The lift: ...

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