As a lock in rugby, you are the team’s key ball winner at both the lineout and restarts (kickoffs). Modern Locks are tall, solid and explosive, difficult to tackle and a solid wall on defense. Mobile with good ball skills. Browse the media tools to the left to learn more about this position.

At the higher level, the #4 lock (packing on left side of scrum) might be the shorter of the 2 but more robust, playing an 'enforcer' role. Usually the first jumper. The #5 lock is often taller, the second jumper, and more proficient in the dark art of line-out jumping! These days, of course, an experienced team would have at least 4 jumpers (adding 2 or 3 of the loose-forwards) and there would be many variations for the hooker to throw to.

At scrum-time, the locks provide much of the power. The team scrums best when the locks are in sync with their respective props. While the hooker is largely left alone at scrum time, each lock will bind firmly on their prop.

Even though locks are big players they are expected to be, and need to be; mobile. For example, when a tackle occurs forwards arrive and struggle for possession. Locks are not the first to arrive but good locks will be close behind the first arrivals. Locks provide much of the power and "go forward" in rucks and mauls which follow a tackle.They also provide the physical "presence" to maintain possession before moving the ball to the backs.

Physical and mental characteristics: should like the physical stuff, getting close to your opponents at scrum-time, abrasive, usually tall and powerful, strong while being agile and having power endurance.