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Rugby lock

A rugby lock provides power in the scrum and soars to great heights in the line-out. Height and weight needed...is this where you will be good.

Position in the team

15 players are on the rugby field at any one time.

This includes 8 forwards...

...of those forwards, 3 are front row...

...right behind them...and I mean right behind...

...are the two locks...like this...

Rugby lock
Rugby lock behind the front row of a scrum

Rugby lock behind the front row of a scrum

The shape of the player icons...
...indicates the physique needed!

The more the locks...
... resemble substantial columns the better!

Height is great...
Lots of muscle is good....
Weight is good...
Handling ability is good...
Agility is good.
Mobility is good

Neck strength is good...
...loads of pressure and twisting in the scrum

Weight and leg power...
..are important for pushing

Rugby lock - in the scrum

The scrum...
...restarts play after rules are breached in a minor way.

When a scrum is formed...
...the 8 forwards from each team...
...bind together into a pack of players

The locks bind to each other and...
...to the props.
I`ve often seen how...
...but never had to do it...I`m happy to say!
Look elsewhere for these technical details!

The scrum-half ...
...puts the ball into the tunnel between the opposing packs...

...and the locks must provide...
. ..power and balance..
...to help manoeuvre the scrum..
...as required and...
...help the ball move smoothly through the scrum

Rugby lock - in the line-out

The line-out restarts play after the ball has "gone into touch".

Locks in the line-out...
...play a vital part..
...they are the main jumpers.

As line-outs are frequent...
...the team relies...
...on locks for...
... a good share of possession.

You should win...
...your own throw
Doing that consistently...
   ...needs good locks...
...combined with good strategy,...
...good throws from the hooker...
...and good lifts from the props...
... - a huge amount of skillful co-operation

A fair amount of fakery is needed.
As a rugby lock you change positions in the line-out...
...so you can hide your intentions.

Yes, acting ability is useful in rugby!
Make the opposition think one thing...
...then do something different.

Often at the top of the jump...
...the lock will catch the ball...
   ...and use agility...
...to throw it without pausing...
... to the scrum-half

or if needed...
...may bring the ball down to ground level...
...and combine with the other forwards...
...drive forwards towards the opposition goal-line

When the opposition throws the ball...
...into the line-out - the locks defend.

One way to defend is to ...
...work out where the ball is going...
...and jump...
   ...to disrupt or even win possession.

...another is...
...remain on the ground...
...and concentrate on making sure...
...you prevent breaks through the line...
...especially when close to your own goal-line

Rugby lock - in general play

Even though locks are big players...
...they are expected to be and need to be mobile.

When a tackle occurs...
...forwards arrive and struggle for possesion.
Locks are not the first to arrive...
...but good locks will be close behind the first arrivals.
Locks provide much of the power...
... the "go forward"....
...in rucks and mauls which follow a tackle...

or the physical "presence"...
...to maintain possession...
...before moving the ball to the backs

The lock is expected to do much more than used to be the case.
To run and handle well is now...
...very much more part of the package.

The rugby lock...mobile...skillful, agile, tower of strength!

Return from Rugby lock to Rugby positions

Evtechs Sports Training
Sydney, Australia