POSITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
General
The lock is a key ball winner in many areas of the field, but particularly in the lineout and
restarts. As the locks tend to be bigger players, and are difficult to tackle, they should be competent at running with the ball in hand.
Scrum
The lock, as an individual, must have an excellent scrummaging technique which contributes to the total effectiveness of the scrum as a unit. The locks provide the
‘powerhouse’ drive of the scrum, and therefore have to work closely with their props to optimise the drive. They should develop a strong bind through the props’ legs (or
around the hips for U12s), pulling the prop on to his own shoulder.
The two locks should also bind so that they pull each others’ hips close together, and have a flat back, ready to drive.
Line Out
The locks tend to jump to retrieve the ball in the lineout. Locks need to develop their ability to jump from a stationary position, or moving forwards and backwards.
They should be expert at catching the ball whilst in the air in a variety of situations (e.g. one-handed, two-handed, in front of the jumper, or arching backwards to catch a
looping ball). Locks also need to be strong in the arms and upper body to resist competition in the air for the ball from opponents.
Restarts
Similar to the lineouts, the lock, being one of the taller and stronger players, should seek to catch the ball from his own and opponents’ restart kicks. They should practise
trying to take the ball as high as possible, by either catching, or catching and playing the ball back towards his players.
PRACTICES
Scrum
• Practise scrummaging (on a machine and against opposition) whilst supervised;
• Practices should include individual work, work with his fellow lock and with the front
three and back row on:
- Body position, dynamic driving position
- flat back, legs in driving position.
Lineout
• Practise jumping going forwards, backwards and straight up, leading with the left foot and right foot;
• Practise catching the ball in the air with one hand and two hands;
• Basketball is an excellent game for developing handling and jumping skills.
Jumping
(individuals unopposed in groups of 8)
Equipment: 3 corner flags
Aim: to develop height in jumping
• Three corner flags should be held as hurdles, at an appropriate height off the ground to suit the jumpers, by three pairs of players. The corner flags should be held parallel to the ground on top of open, upturned palms and to be, say, 1 metre apart or at a distance
to suit the jumpers.
• The two jumpers, working singly or as a pair, should jump sideways off both feet over the hurdles, extending their arms fully, moving along the three hurdles and back again. Repeat as required.
Hooker
POSITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
General
The hooker is a key team member; one of the spine of the team - 15, 10, 9, 8 and 2. He tends to be the co-ordinator at the scrum and lineout. The hooker can play a similar role to the flanker due to his role as thrower at the lineout. The lineout is a key area of possession, and if the hooker throws the ball in, he must ensure that it is accurate to
enable his receiver to maintain possession.
Scrum
The hooker grips his props under the armpits and pulls them towards him; the props should bind around the hooker to ensure that they act as one solid unit. The hooker strikes for the ball (usually with his right foot) and propels it through the loose-head
prop’s legs at the right pace and direction (usually channel 1 or 2). The hooker may also try to put pressure on his opponent when it is the opposition’s put in; he does this
by either driving on him, or striking for the ball - sometimes called ‘a strike against the head’.
Lineout
The hooker is the team’s flanker at the front of the lineout, who is able to clear up any spilled ball or attack with ball in hand.
PRACTICES
Scrum
• Practise scrummaging (on a machine and against opposition) whilst supervised;
• Practices should include individual work, work with the props, and work with the scrum half on:
- Timing of the strike of the ball, speed of the strike, and direction (channel 1 or 2);
- Body position for the strike, and for the eight-man shove.
Lineout
• Practise accurate throwing (e.g. a torpedo throw);
• Always practise using a target (e.g. a rugby post, a mark on a wall, a player);
• Try and work under match conditions (e.g. three short shuttle runs, and throw the ball in and repeat);
• Key factors when throwing the ball are:
- Hold ball in front of chest in two hands in a flat position;
- The throwing hand supports the ball underneath on right hand side of the ball (if thrower is right handed);
- Spread the fingers along the seam of the ball;
- The non-throwing hand rests on top, on the left hand side of the ball;
- Take the ball back over the head, with the right hand now at the back of the ball, and the left hand at the front;
- Keep the eyes focused on the intended target;
- Throw ‘soccer style’ with power derived from a quick action.
Speed and Angle of Strike
Equipment: a support for the right arm
Aim: to practise striking quickly with the right leg and co-ordinating timing
• From a supported sitting position, with the right arm taking the weight of the body, the hooker should strike, on a given signal, towards the left as on his own putin.
• With the scrum half putting the ball in as required, the hooker should vary his strike to channel the ball (use only the left prop, hooker and scrum half at this stage).
• Add additional front row players as necessary and emphasise the control needed on striking to channel the ball. Eventually, the opposition front row should apply weight at varying heights.
RFU.com 
Search
