Rugby · Level 4: Intermediate · Sub-level 4.2
Lineout Play
10 tests · 100 facts · updated 28 October 2026 · markdown
The lineout is a contest in the air run on codes. A forward runs the lineout, and calls say where the ball will go and what happens next; fresh codes stay secret, fake calls mislead the defence, and caller and thrower must be in sync to avoid the opposition's best jumpers. A full lineout has seven forwards plus the thrower, but teams can use fewer: small lineouts open space and suit quick ball, more forwards give a bigger drive, and the defence mirrors the numbers.
Throws go to the front, middle or back. Short throws rarely go wrong and set up a drive, the middle is flexible, and back-ball, the longest throw, launches backline moves, although more time in the air means more risk. The jumper is lifted from below the hips by two lifters, one in front and one behind, classically props, and all three must move together; the lifters are also responsible for a safe landing. Off the top, the jumper taps the ball down to the nine without a catch, which is quickest but can give the ball away. Dummy jumps create space for the real lift, and back-rowers peel round the lineout to attack the short side. Defences choose between contesting the throw to steal it and staying down to stop the drive at once.
The facts below cover calls and codes, lineout numbers, throwing zones, the lift, steals, off-the-top ball, dummies and peels, defence, strike moves and lineout statistics.
Each test below is ten questions on Insporta. The list under a test is what the questions check: one fact per question, with the source it was written from. Read it before the test, or come back from a wrong answer.
Test 1Calls and codesTake a test
Codes hide where the ball will go.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
A forward runs the lineout.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Calls say where and what next.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Fresh codes stay secret.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Fake calls mislead the defence.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Avoid the opposition's best jumpers.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Caller and thrower must be in sync.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Study, call, move, throw.
Source: General rugby union reference · applied
Longer throws are riskier.
Source: General rugby union reference · applied
The caller sets the play.
Source: General rugby union reference · applied
Test 2Lineout numbersTake a test
Seven forwards plus the thrower.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Fewer forwards open space.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Defence mirrors the numbers.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Spare forwards add to the attack.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Different shapes need different defence.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Small lineouts suit quick ball.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
More forwards, bigger drive.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Two, four, seven.
Source: General rugby union reference · applied
Shape, match, throw, attack.
Source: General rugby union reference · applied
Fewer forwards in the line.
Source: General rugby union reference · applied
Test 3Front, middle and back ballTake a test
Short throws rarely go wrong.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
The middle is flexible.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Back-ball launches backline moves.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
More time in the air means more risk.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Throw away from the strength.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Short throws set up a drive.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Movement creates space.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Front is shortest.
Source: General rugby union reference · applied
Call, throw, catch, pass.
Source: General rugby union reference · applied
Longest throw: back-ball.
Source: General rugby union reference · applied
Test 4The liftTake a test
Lifters support from below the hips.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Safe landing is the lifters' job.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
All three must move together.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Props are the classic lifters.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
One in front, one behind.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Footwork beats the opposing jumper.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Repetition builds speed and safety.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Dip, grip, lift, catch.
Source: General rugby union reference · applied
The jumper goes highest.
Source: General rugby union reference · applied
Lifters support the jumper.
Source: General rugby union reference · applied
Test 5Steals and contestsTake a test
Steals turn defence into attack.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Contesting the throw can win it.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Reading the throw is key.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Not jumping keeps more players ready.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
It stops the maul before it starts.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
A steal swings possession.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Percentage won on own throw.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Read, move, lift, catch.
Source: General rugby union reference · applied
Clean, scrappy, lost.
Source: General rugby union reference · applied
Contesting to win the ball.
Source: General rugby union reference · applied
Test 6Off-the-top ballTake a test
The jumper palms it to the nine.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
No catch, just a quick tap.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
A bad tap gives the ball away.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
The nine waits for the tap.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Speed beats the defensive line.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Soft hands guide the ball.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Back-ball off the top feeds the backs.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Throw, tap, catch, attack.
Source: General rugby union reference · applied
Off the top is quickest.
Source: General rugby union reference · applied
A tap down from the jump.
Source: General rugby union reference · applied
Test 7Dummy movements and peelsTake a test
Fakes create space for the real jump.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
A decoy jump fools defenders.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Moving bodies confuse the defence.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Watch the lift, not the dummy.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Timing keeps the real lift clean.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Back-rowers peel round the lineout.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Peeling attacks the short side.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Move, fake, fool, lift.
Source: General rugby union reference · applied
Shuffle first, real lift last.
Source: General rugby union reference · applied
A decoy jump.
Source: General rugby union reference · applied
Test 8Lineout defenceTake a test
Defend the drive at once.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
A united push stops the drive.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Backs wait for the attack.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Pressure the nine.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Reading the move closes it down.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Most lineout tries come near the line.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Stopping the drive wins the ball.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Watch, hit, push, fight.
Source: General rugby union reference · applied
Steal, turnover, stop, concede.
Source: General rugby union reference · applied
Stopping the lineout drive.
Source: General rugby union reference · applied
Test 9The lineout as an attacking platformTake a test
Space opens in midfield.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
They stand off the lineout.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Midfield space is the target.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Strike moves aim to score from first phase.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Timing decides strike moves.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Speed helps the backs.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Moves exploit gaps.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Win, pass, lines, break.
Source: General rugby union reference · applied
Maul uses most forwards.
Source: General rugby union reference · applied
Backs set for a first-phase move.
Source: General rugby union reference · applied
Test 10Lineout statisticsTake a test
Winning own ball is the base.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Top teams win most of their own ball.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Zone data guides calls.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Steals measure defence.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Small errors add up.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Lost lineouts lose territory.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
A weak lineout changes tactics.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Higher is better.
Source: General rugby union reference · applied
Count, split, find, plan.
Source: General rugby union reference · applied
Video review fixes errors.
Source: General rugby union reference · applied
Questions people ask
- How many players are in a lineout?
- A full lineout has seven forwards plus the thrower. Teams can use fewer forwards to open space, and the defence mirrors the numbers.
- Why do lineouts use codes?
- Codes hide where the ball will go and what the team will do next. Fresh codes stay secret, and fake calls mislead the defence.
- What is off-the-top lineout ball?
- Instead of catching, the jumper taps or palms the ball straight down to the nine. It is the quickest ball, but a bad tap gives it away.
- Where do lifters hold the jumper?
- Lifters support the jumper from below the hips, one in front and one behind, and they make sure the jumper lands safely.
- What is a peel at the lineout?
- In a peel a back-rower runs round the lineout to take the ball, attacking the short side.
- How do teams measure lineout performance?
- The base number is the percentage won on the team's own throw, and top teams win most of their own ball. Steals measure the defence, and zone data guides calls.
- What is a lineout strike move?
- A strike move aims to score from first phase: the backs stand off the lineout and target the space that opens in midfield. Timing decides whether it works.
Sources
World Rugby handbooks and coaching material, union and competition records; original questions authored, nothing reproduced. Numbered Laws belong to the Laws category.
- General rugby union reference100