Rugby Union Lineout

The Lineout in Rugby Union

To a first time viewer the rugby union line out must look as choreographed and graceful as the rugby scrum looks brutal and explosive. In what can only be described as a weird performing art spectacle, two lines of players yell out unintelligible coded words then run back and forth till a number of them get spontaneously lifted into the air to try and catch a ball. What we are seeing is the rugby lineout, one of the most contested components of the game of rugby union, not to mention the most nerve-racking to viewers.

In rugby union, play stops when the ball is kicked over the sideline. The game then resumes with a rugby line out. The rugby lineout is usually formed where the ball passed over the sideline. However, if the kick goes out on the full then it is taken back to where the kick was made, although there are a couple of exceptions to this in rugby union. If the team has been awarded a penalty the ball may be kicked out on the full and still retain the lineout. The other exception is the 22 metre rule, which will be discussed later. As with most elements of rugby, the restart, in this case the lineout, is contestable.

When the ball goes out in rugby union, play resumes with a rugby lineout. Here each team stands in a line one metre apart and 5 metres away from where the ball went out. The hooker whose team did not kick it out throws the ball down the middle of the line out and each team tries to hoist players up to catch the ball. The technical aspects of this make rugby union lineouts highly contestable. Furthermore, there are a variety of technical requirements that if not met will result in the opposing team being awarded possession. These include the ball not being thrown in straight or not quickly enough, players being lifted too early or closing the gap between the teams.

To new rugby union viewers the 22 metre rule may seem a bit of a gimmick. If the ball goes out on the full then the rugby lineout takes place from where it was kicked. In other words, kicking the ball out is usually a costly mistake. However, the exception in rugby union is if the ball is kicked out behind the kicker’s 22 metre line. Unless the ball is passed from in front of the 22 to the kicker, then play restarts from where it went out whether it bounced first or not. Up until recently the ball could also be passed back into the 22 as well, but not carried back.

The 22 metre rule is very common in rugby union because it is a good way of gaining territory and a chance to contest possession at the lineout.

The rugby union lineout has very strategic importance in how rugby is played. Because the lineout is contestable in rugby, it makes kicking the ball out a very common and strategic option as your team has realistic chance of regaining possession in a rugby union lineout.

Also, in rugby the usual strategy is to try and ensure as much of the game is played in the opposition’s half. In fact, one of the key statistics mentioned in televised games is the amount of rugby played in each team’s half. Therefore, kicking the ball out downfield then contesting or at least disrupting the rugby lineout is a good way of keeping the play away from your tryline.

Anything can happen during or after a lineout. Even if it is your throw in, your team may concede a penalty or a scrum to the opposing team. If the lineout is not executed properly the other team may catch the ball, or the opposing team may read your lineout and steal the ball.

However, if everything goes according to plan and the team with the throw in retains possession, then usually one of two things happen. Firstly, the player who is lifted to catch the ball holds on to it, and his team mates huddle around him and form a maul, slowly walking the ball forward. The other team is forced to combat the maul by forming a huddle of their own and pushing against the other team.

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I am based in New Zealand and enjoy writing about rugby, movies and music and am also interested in property investment and travel. I operate a rugby blog and a site dedicated to Tarantino movies and merchandise and contribute to a Property Investment Tips site.