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 the forwards, 3 are front row

right behind them - and I mean right behind!

are the two locks like this

Rugby lock behind the front row in 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

in addition

• Neck strength is useful, loads of pressure and twisting in the scrum
• Weight and leg power are important for pushing, leaping

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.

The locks must provide power and balance to help manoeuvre the scrum as required and help the ball move smoothly through to the rear of the scrum for the scrum-half to take possession.

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 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 to the scrum-half without pausing

Or if needed, may bring the ball down to ground level and combine with the other forwards to drive ahead 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 way is to 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.

They also provide 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 is a mobile, skillful, agile, tower of strength!

I don`t recall seeing one sidestep, maybe you will be the first!

Improve rugby play - know other positions

You may want to click the link below and find out about other rugby positions. You could find it very useful...

• you may find you like other positions more

• you will know what to expect from players in other positions and get insight into what they may expect from you

• at times in a game you may find you are covering for a player trapped out of position- it`s useful if you know what to do!

• get a feel for the other positions so you know more about rugby play in general and get an idea of what other players are going through