How does a scrum work in rugby union?

Asked by: Joshua Harper

In rugby union a scrum is a means of restarting play after a minor infringement. It involves up to eight players from each team, known as the pack or forward pack, binding together in three rows and interlocking with the three opposing teams front row.

What is a scrum in rugby union?

Beginner’s Guide – The scrum



The scrum is a means of restarting play after a stoppage which has been caused by a minor infringement of the Laws (for example, a forward pass or knock-on) or the ball becoming unplayable in a ruck or maul.

Who is responsible for the scrum in rugby?

The hooker and the two props make up the front row of the scrum. The hooker’s responsibility is to hook the ball back, placed into the scrum by the scrum-half.

Why is the scrum so important in rugby?

The scrum is essentially a show of strength and power. The eight biggest men form a solid unit and push against an opposing unit. The team that dominates the scrum is usually the team that can win a game. The scrum becomes many things: a psychological weapon, a platform to attack, and a defensive tactic.

What are the positions in a scrum?

The scrum (a contest used to restart play) must consist of eight players from each team: the “front row” (two props; a loosehead and tighthead, and a hooker), the “second row” (two locks), and a “back row” (two flankers, and a number 8).

What happens if a scrum collapses?

Twisting, dipping or collapsing a scrum will result in a penalty against the offending team. Rather than engaging square on with their opponent, tight-head props can bore their heads into the hooker.

What is the hardest position in rugby?

For their part, props occupy the toughest and most punishing position in rugby and take a lot of hits during the course of a match. Whether you’re a hooker or a prop, going in for physical contact is all part of your job, which requires a lot of physical strength.

What side does the ball go in a scrum?

Putting in the ball



One team caused the scrum. The other team gets the advantage of restarting the game by putting the ball in to the space between the opposing sets of forwards. The scrumhalf is always the player who puts the ball into the scrum, always at the lefthand side of the team putting in the ball.

Why is it called scrum?

The term is borrowed from rugby, where a scrum is a formation of players. The term scrum was chosen by the paper’s authors because it emphasizes teamwork.

What do rugby players say in a scrum?

Since 2013, rugby referees say three words to initiate a scrum. “Crouch, Bind, Set” is the current sequence: “Crouch” tells the forwards to drop into a low position. “Bind” tells the props to grip their opponent’s jersey.

What is the easiest position in rugby?

Wing is the easiest position in defensive play due to the position on the pitch. Wingers are to the back and outside and farther away from the ball from anyone. The opposition’s attacking plays often don’t even reach the winger.

How does the scrum line up?

The scrum is usually formed by each team’s forwards, though any player can participate. The front row of the formation consists of the open-side prop (8), hooker (9) and blind-side prop (10). Behind the front row are the two second row forwards (11&12), and then the loose forward (13) at the back.

Do you have to hook the ball in a scrum?

The put-in



The scrum-half must put the ball in straight to the scrum, but they are allowed to align their shoulder to the middle line of the scrum. This means they are putting the ball in a shoulder’s width towards their own team’s side of the scrum.

How do you bind a scrum in rugby?

The loose a Jeremy Barnes up first on his rocker. This is then followed by the Titans bond the traditional way is to hook the thumb around the inside of his shorts in Jersey.