The main function of the locks is to win the
ball in the lineouts and to lock a stable scrum.
The locks should see themselves as an engine
room of the forwards. They should be faster than the front row, should cover
more ground and thus get through more work.
They should be strong and aggressive to
provide the grunt to the forwards
This is one position you have to be built for
the job. Without the strength, height, and weight you cannot perform your
duties well.
The locks must be able to jump well and have
strength in their legs to provide power to the scrums and the drive in rucks
and mauls
A good lock paring that possesses aggression,
fitness, speed and power are invaluable to any team. If they go backwards… the
whole team goes backwards
Major Requirements
-He must have an ability to jump for the ball
in the lineout
-Must be able to compete for opposition ball
-Must be physically fit
-Must possess good neck, body and leg strength
-Must have an ability to lock and scrum
effectively with the correct body position
-Must have stamina and maintain strength at 2nd phase play
-Have an ability to reach the breakdown point
quickly
-Must have communication skills
-Must have determination and aggression
-Must know the laws of the game!
Essentials
-Be able to run with agility, determination
and commitment
-Be able to pass and catch effectively
-Must have good defence-tackle effectively
past the gainline
-Must be able to ruck and maul effectively.
Must have a low body position for driving forward
-Must have a high work rate
-Must have a physical presence. The
opposition must know and feel your playing!
Role at the scrum
-The loosehead lock is of no use to the
loosehead prop if he does not provide him with real pushing power
-Give your total commitment to every scrum
-Aim to get a good grip, a strong low body
position with your head up
-Provide a good hit and then maintain the
pressure by pushing very hard
-Maintain a stable scrum on our ball and aim
to disrupt the opposition put in as much as possible
-Talk to and work with your prop
-Listen to the calls and carry out the moves
Role at the lineout
-The locks must work with the props/lifters
and the hooker to win the ball
-The delivery of quality ball off the top or a
stable platform for the drive is essential
-Drive up with the arms to gain maximum height
-Watch the ball into your hands
-Once the ball has been caught move it
immediately away from the opposition players by turning the body to follow the
ball
-Land in a stable body position with your back
to the opposition
-On a drive hold the ball low; it is a target
for driving support players
-Compete for the opposition ball or at least
disrupt it
-An early drive is essential to prevent the
opposition drive/ maul
-Dominate your opposition player/jumper
Role at kickoffs
-Come forward and catch the ball in two hands
-On our ball: Set a platform (ball going
forward) for ball delivery or drive depending on the options called
-On their ball: Attack the ball, disrupt it
and try to take it
Role during 2nd phase (Ruck/Maul)
-Exert physical pressure on opposition
-Set a platform (going forward) on our ball
and the opposition’s ball
-Decide on the best role to ensure a clean
ball is won to continue play when approaching 2nd phase play
-You must possess a low body position for
rucks and mauls. A strong low drive is essential for all forwards to dominate
the contact points
-Be aware of the options that are available to
pass, run or set up subsequent phases
Role at the ruck
Ruck: We are in possession:
-You must work very hard to ensure we win good
quality ball
-Drive past the ball!
-Protect the ball for the scrumhalf to pass
effectively under as little pressure as possible.
-If the ball is available and the opposition
haven’t committed to the fringes pick the ball up and drive forward
Ruck: They are in possession:
-You must aim to DESTROY their
ball!
-You must aim to at least slow down their ball
at every ruck you hit
Role at the maul
Mauls: We are in possession:
-If you are the ball carrier set a stable
platform and lead the forwards
-If you’re not the ball carrier bind onto the
maul to protect the delivery of the ball to the scrumhalf
-Must work hard to get the ball moving
forward!
Mauls: They are in possession:
-Drive forward to slow down or stop their
drive and to slow their delivery of ball
-Stop the rolling maul by driving onto the
side towards which the maul is moving (Eg: If the maul is going infield you
need to drive it into touch)
Role on defence
-You must aim to put opposition on the ground
or tie the ball up in mauls
-On their ball you must cover the fringes if
you’re late to the ruck/maul (Pillar/Post)
-Know the calls at the breakdown and the
defensive shape next to the ruck
-Know your role at each position next to the
ruck
-Know and understand the defensive pattern of
the team
-Run in a slightly crouched position to ensure
a tackle can be made easily if the opposition cut back towards the source of
possession (scrum, lineout, ruck, maul)
Role during penalties/free kicks
-React quickly
-On our ball, be in depth behind designated
ball carrier to carry ball on or cleanout to win quick ball for scrumhalf
-On opposition ball: Work with tight 5 to
guard area around ball and the blindside
-Go forward and tackle
Mobility
-Move quickly after scrum/ lineout
-Must get into position quickly, especially
the first 10mtrs, before the opposition
What my unit does
-Unit = Loosehead lock, Tighthead lock
-We win quality ball in lineouts
-We destroy the opposition’s lineout ball
-We provide the grunt in scrums
-We are 2nd wave of support
to 2nd phase play
-We provide cover defence
-We dominate the opposition
-We provide GO FORWARD pressure
Who can help me do my job better?
-Hooker in lineouts (accurate throw in),
scrums (leadership)
-Props/lifter in lineouts and at kick offs by
providing support
-The other lock by working with me
-Loose forwards and backline players by retaining the ball at
the breakdown and getting us moving forward
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