Rugby Scrum
The rugby scrum is a restart in rugby union play that requires each team to show a high amount of technique and strength to win the ball. According to International Rugby Board laws, a scrum is awarded by the referee for infractions and fouls committed. The team that did not cause the infringement is awarded possession and throws the ball into the scrum.
Personnel
The scrum is formed by the eight forwards on the rugby team. Three sections of the rugby scrum exist; the front row, the second row and the back row. The front row consists of the hooker, the loose head prop and the tight head prop. The hooker binds his arms tightly around the shoulders of the props and tightly grabs their jersey beneath the arm pits. When the scrum is engaged, the hooker uses his foot to hook the ball to the back of his own scrum for the scrum half. The two props bind to the hooker and push against their opposite number after engaging with their head against the shoulder of the opposition. The tight head is named so as his head is enclosed between the head of the hooker and his opposite prop. The loose head has his head next to the opposing prop, but otherwise free. The two second row forwards bind to the prop in front by reaching between the legs and tightly grabbing the jersey. They also bind with each other around the shoulders. The back row consist of the number eight and the flankers. The number eight binds and drives directly between the two second rows, and the two flankers push and drive from either side of the scrum.
Ball Winning
Successful hooking and the resulting drive will dictate who wins possession in a rugby scrum. The scrum half must feed the ball into the scrum two-handed along the ground, the feed must go directly down the center of the scrum or feeding will be called, and a free kick awarded to the opposition rugby team. When the ball is fed, the hooker must use his foot to hook the ball back to their side of the scrum. Players are not permitted to use any body part other than their foot to win the ball in a scrum.
Driving
Each rugby team aims to drive the opposition backwards in a rugby union scrum, this both wins the ball and sets the opposition on the back foot to defend attacks. All forwards must bind tightly and drive in unison for a successful drive. Recommended techniques are for the flankers to drive in and tighten the scrum, as the central players drive forward with the legs in a low position.
Rules
A rugby player who deliberately attempts to take the scrum to ground, or rotate the rugby union scrum, will concede a free kick or penalty awarded to the opposition. Any punching or biting in the scrum is also a penalty and may result in a warning or ejection from the referee.
Member Comments