What is lineouts?

Lineouts are an important aspect of rugby union game and are used to restart play after the ball goes out of bounds or into touch. In a lineout, the ball is thrown into the field of play by one team member and both teams compete to catch it. The lineout is typically formed by players standing in two lines perpendicular to the touchline, with the player throwing the ball (hooker) standing in the middle of the line. The rules of a lineout dictate that the ball must be thrown straight in between the two lines and players cannot be lifted or obstructed in mid-air. Lineouts are an important opportunity for teams to gain possession of the ball and launch an offensive attack.