Scrums are native to the sport of rugby. They are used to decide who gets the ball after it goes out of bounds. Scrums are also used after the game's been stopped because of a penalty. Scrums are formed by the eight forwards from each team, for a total of 16 rugby players scrumming for the ball.
The formation
Each set of eight forwards locks arms and engages the other team in a 3-4-1 formation. There are three players in the front (closest to the other squad), four teammates behind them and a sole teammate in the very back who anchors the middle. Players are numbered accordingly, so the first line is players numbered 1 to 3, the second row players are 4 to 7 and the anchor is number 8.
The Ball
After a penalty, both teams line up for the scrum. Once both teams are lined up for a scrum, the team who did not commit an infraction gets to touch the ball first. The scrum-half throws the ball into the air toward the middle of the scrum. He cannot touch the ball again "until it has come out of the scrum."
The Hooker
Once the scrum-half throws the ball toward the scrum, the "hooker" leaps into the air to try and receive the ball. The scrum-half will typically direct the ball a bit to the side of his own hooker so that his team gets the ball. The hooker is the only player who is allowed to jump off the ground in a scrum.
Illegal plays
Even though rugby is a rough game, some moves are off limits. Players can't grab an opponent's collar or attempt to distort the scrum from its typical circular shape. They aren't allowed to hold onto an opponent's sleeve either.
Getting the ball
A scrum is won when one team gets the ball. Players can do this by out-muscling the other team and gaining control of the ball. Then, they can pass the ball forward to a teammate, advance the ball by kicking it out of bounds or look to score points by kicking the ball through the uprights.
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