Get access to the whole library

Including this video and much more — start a free trial today.

Subscribe now

Lineouts - Critical Path for Securing Lineout with Bernie Upton

Former Hurricane and Chiefs Super Lock and current Wellington Lions (NPC) lineout coach Bernie Upton details the 'critical path' to secure Gold Standard Ball (GSB).

During this series Bernie looks at the keys aspects of a less known part of the game to secure good attack quality lineout possession.

  • Winning lineouts is about doing the basics exceptionally well.
  • Consistency beats complexity.
  • Simple, repeatable movements performed at speed.
  • Load. Explode. Finish.

Part 1. Lineouts - Securing Gold Standard Ball (GSB)

9:00 Member content

Shape on Shape, Disconnection, Weak links

Discover 3 key ways to secure your Gold Standard Ball (GSB) from a 5-man lineout.

Wellington Lions (NPC) lineout coach Bernie Upton kicks off our latest series, showing why the 5-man lineout is the most effective Critical Path option for securing GSB – especially at the Community Rugby level.

Play video

Part 2. Creating Maximum Separation

10:47 Member content

Load, step, straight up

having sharp movement so the defense can never catch up and you win the ball.

It is that simple as Bernie demonstrates as he resumes his lineouts series.

Identifying your head start, where the space is and then jumping into it.

This Lineout philosophy is suitable for all levels

Play video

Part 3. A Successful Approach to Lifting

3:41 Member content

Big step then hop – lift not push

Parts of the Bernie’s Load, explode and finish lifting methodology.

Using the Wellington Lions (the NZ NPC’s most successful lineout), as an example, Bernie details the parts to a successful Lineout lift.

Simple moves with sharp movement beats complicated moves when it comes to winning lineouts!

Play video

Part 4. Foot Pattern for Successful Jumping

6:05 Member content

“We invest too much in complicated options to create that separation”

And inevitably that’s because our core skills aren’t quite there and we’re trying to compensate with complexity of movements.

Bernie talks ‘Surfing’ to emphasise the core lineout jumping skills to his players.

Get on your surfboards and really load.

This part is for subscribers only!

Subscribe now to get access to the full course, and the rest of the library.

Start a FREE trial

Part 5. The Squeeze Jump

6:19 Member content

You want to be lifting up

Chase that max height and get a feel for it as Bernie details at basic Squeeze Jump with his St Bernard’s Wellington players.

Note how Bernie uses a combination of learning skills in this session – verbal, kinetic, and visual with the iPad. Plus asking the players to self-reflect on their efforts.

Play video

Course Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5
Duration 46:00
Topics Set Piece Youth Coaching
Applicable to Coaches Youths, ands, highs, and schools
Languages English , Español
Click on CC button at top left of video for other translation options.

Course reviews

Thank you Bernie

 —  New Zealand

Subscribe now!

Get full access to all videos in this course and the rest of the video library. Learn with in-depth courses from the best rugby minds in the world, including:

  • Graham Henry & Warren Gatland
  • Wayne Smith & Eddie Jones
  • Sam Warburton & Richie McCaw
  • Leigh Halfpenny & Victor Matfield

Get instant access

Trial period available!

Learn from the best now