Hey {{First_Name|mate}},
I had a player ask me this after a session last week:
“What are the best exercises to improve lineout lifting?
I always add more overhead pressing to try and get more explosive.”
This is a really common assumption — and it’s where a lot of players go wrong.
Lineout lifting isn’t just an upper-body problem
Yes, you finish overhead.
But that’s not where the power comes from.
Trying to fix lineout lifting by piling on more shoulder work usually leads to:
Strong arms
Average lift
And shoulders that feel battered
If you want to improve how explosive you are in the lineout, you need to look at the whole movement, not just the finish.
Next week, I’ll break down what actually creates power in a lift — and why pressing strength alone won’t get you there.
Train like a player,
Craig Jones
Rugby Performance Coach
