LAW 20. SCRUMMAGE

Forming a Scrummage

(1)

A team must not willfully delay the forming of a scrummage.

(2)

Every scrummage shall be formed at the place of infringement or as near thereto as is practicable within the field-of-play. It must be stationary with the middle line parallel to the goal lines until the ball has been put in.

Before commencing engagement, each front row must be in a crouched position with heads and shoulders no lower than their hips and so that they are not more than one arm's length from the opponents' shoulders.

In the interests of safety, each front row should engage in the sequence of crouch, then pause and only engage on the call "Engage" given by the referee.

Notes:-

(i)

To the extent that is necessary, the scrummage is to be moved from the place of infringement so that the scrummage is formed in the field-of-play.

(ii)

When the place of infringement is within five meters of a touch-line the scrummage is to be formed five meters from that touch-line.

(iii)

The referee shall mark the place of engagement with his foot before the scrummage is formed.

(iv)

A crouched position is the extension of the normal stance by bending the knees sufficiently to step into the engagement without a charge.

(3)

It is dangerous play for a front row to form down some distance from its opponents and rush against them.

Note:-

(v)

The referee should not call the front rows to engage until the ball is in the hands of the player putting in the ball and is available to be put in immediately. This call is not a command, but an indication that the front rows may engage when ready.

(4)

A minimum of five players from each team shall be required to form a scrummage. While the scrummage is in progress a minimum of five players shall remain bound in the scrummage until it ends. Each front row of a scrummage shall have three players in it at all times. The head of a player in a front row shall not be next to the head of a player of the same team.

(5)

(a)

While a scrummage is forming,

• the shoulders of each player in the front row must not be lower than his hips
• all players in each front row must adopt a normal stance,
• both feet must be on the ground and not crossed,
• the hookers must be in a hooking position
• a hooker's foot must not be in front of the forward feet of his props.

(b)

While the scrummage is taking place, players in each front row must have their weight firmly on at least one foot and be in a position for an effective forward shove and the shoulders of each player must not be lower than his hips.

(c)

When five players of a team form the scrummage the two players in the second row must remain bound to each other until the scrummage ends.

Notes:-

(vi)

The restriction on the crossing of the feet of the players in the front rows refers only to the feet of individual players. The feet of all players in the front rows must be in a position for an effective forward shove.

(vii)

A hooking position is where a hooker in the scrummage has both feet on the ground, the weight retained firmly on one foot and in a position to hook or strike the ball.

(viii)

A flank forward in the second or third row of a scrummage may pack at an angle provided he is properly bound. If the ball is emerging from the back of the scrummage and he moves outwards, thereby preventing an opponent from advancing around the scrummage, a penalty kick should be awarded.

(ix)

In the event of the scrummage collapsing the referee should whistle immediately so that players do not continue to push. The referee should also whistle immediately if any player in the scrummage is lifted off his feet or is forced upwards out of the scrummage.

(x)

The scrummage is ended if the ball in the scrummage is on or over the goal-line or when the ball emerges.

Binding of Players

(6)

(a)

The players of each front row shall bind firmly and continuously while the scrummage is forming, while the ball is being put in and while it is in the scrummage.

(b)

The hooker may bind either over or under the arms of his props but, in either case, he must bind firmly around their bodies at or below the level of the armpits. The props must bind the hooker similarly. The hooker must not be supported so that he is not carrying any weight on either foot.

(c)

The outside (loose-head) prop must either (i) bind his opposing (tight-head) prop with his left arm inside the right arm of his opponent, or (ii) place his left hand or forearm on his left thigh.

The tight-head prop must bind with his right arm outside the left upper arm of his opposing loose-head prop. He may grip the jersey of his opposing loose-head prop with his right hand but only to keep himself and the scrummage steady and he must not exert a downward pull.

(d)

All players in a scrummage, other than those in a front row, must bind with at least one arm and hand around the body of another player of the same team.

(e)

No outside player other than a prop may hold an opponent with his outer arm.

Note:-

(xi)

It is permissible for the outside (loosehead) prop to alter his binding with his left arm, within the provisions of Law 20(6)(c), at any time during a scrummage.

Putting the Ball into the Scrummage

(7)

When an infringement occurs the team not responsible shall put in the ball. In other circumstances, unless otherwise provided, the ball shall be put in by the team which was moving forward prior to the stoppage or, if neither team was moving forward, by the attacking team.

(8)

The ball shall be put in without delay as soon as the two front rows have closed together. A team must put in the ball when ordered to do so and on the side first chosen.

Notes:-

(xii)

In the interests of safety, the referee has authority to permit delay in putting in the ball if a player in the front row has not succeeded in getting his head down in the scrummage but otherwise he should ensure that there is no delay.

(xiii)

A free kick should be awarded if the referee is satisfied that delay by the team in putting the ball in is deliberate and prejudices the other team.

(9)

The player putting in the ball shall

(a)

stand one meter from the scrummage and midway between the two front rows;

(b)

hold the ball with both hands midway between the two front rows at a level midway between his knee and ankle;

(c)

from that position put in the ball

• without any delay or without feint or backward movement, i.e. with a single forward movement, and

• at a quick speed straight along the middle line so that it first touches the ground immediately beyond the width of the nearer prop's shoulders.

(10)

Play in the scrummage begins when the ball leaves the hands of the player putting it in.

(11)

If the ball is put in and it comes out at either end of the tunnel, it shall be put in again, unless a free kick or penalty kick has been awarded.

If the ball comes out otherwise than at either end of the tunnel and if a penalty kick has not been awarded play shall proceed.

Note:-

(xiv)

Advantage applies as soon as the hall has been put into the scrummage and played.

Restrictions on Front Row Players

(12)

All front row players must place their feet so as to allow a clear tunnel. A player must not prevent the ball from being put into the scrummage, or from touching the ground at the required place.

(13)

No front row player may raise or advance a foot until the ball has left the hands of the player putting it into the scrummage.

Note:-

(xv)

Until any foot is permitted to be raised or advanced, that foot must be kept in the normal position.

(14)

When the ball has touched the ground, any foot of any player in either front row may be used in an attempt to gain possession of the ball subject to the following: players in the front rows must not at any time during the scrummage willfully:

(a)

raise both feet off the ground at the same time, or

(b)

adopt a position or take any action, by twisting or lowering the body or by pulling on an opponent's dress, which is likely to cause the scrummage to collapse, or

(c)

lift an opponent off his feet or force him upwards out of the scrummage, or

(d)

kick the ball out of the tunnel in the direction from which it is put in.

Notes:-

(xvi)

The prohibition against a player in the front row raising both feet off the ground at the same time or striking at the ball with both feet applies during the whole scrummage and not merely to the period while the ball is being put in.

(xvii)

Referees must be strict in applying penalties for willfully kicking out. Repeated kicking out must be treated as willful.

(xviii)

When the referee orders the ball to be put in again it must be put in by a player of the same team that was first entitled to do so.

(xix)

If the ball is about to pass straight through the tunnel and a far prop advances a foot so that the ball passes behind that foot, the ball must be put in again unless it has been lawfully played (i.e. touched) by a player in the front row.

Restrictions on Players

(15)

Any player who is not in either front row must not play the ball while it is in the tunnel.

(16)

A player must not:-

(a)

return the ball into the scrummage, or

(b)

handle the ball in the scrummage except in the act of obtaining a "push-over" try or touch-down, or

(c)

pick up the ball in the scrummage by hand or legs, or

(d)

willfully collapse the scrummage, or

(e)

willfully fall or kneel in the scrummage, or

(f)

attempt to gain possession of the ball in the scrummage with any part of the body except the foot or lower leg.