A scrum is a method of restarting play in rugby. It requires skill, discipline and physical strength in order for a rugby team to win the ball. A scrum is awarded by the referee after a number of infractions have occurred. The non-offending team gains possession of the ball and throws it into the scrum.
Formation
A scrum is formed by a referee after stopping play. If players group and fight for the ball, these are referred to as rucks if the ball is on the ground or mauls if the ball is in possession of a player. After the referee awards a scrum, the two opposing teams will bind their forwards together and engage the opposition in contact upon the referee's command. The scrum is over when one team gets the ball from the back of the scrum and runs or passes.
Types
In the Rugby Union professional league, a scrum has eight forwards and consists of a front row, a second row and a back row. A front row has the hooker central and two props on either side. The responsibility of the front row is to hold up the scrum and provide an initial drive. The forwards in the second row bolster the front row by driving behind them. The back row tightens the scrum with the flankers driving in to compress the unit, and the No. 8 player driving from the back. It is common for the No. 8 player to pick the ball up and run from the scrum. In the Rugby League professional league, a scrum has only six forwards driving along with a front row, a second row and a single back row.
Rules
In Rugby Union, a scrum is awarded for a knock on or minor rules infraction. In Rugby League, a scrum is awarded when the ball goes out of play on the sidelines. Strict rules forbid players to collapse a scrum or to rotate the rugby scrum too far. The scrum half that is throwing the ball into the scrum must throw it directly down the middle allowing both hookers a chance at the ball.
Expert Insight
Graham Smith of the Coaching Rugby website emphasizes the importance of a rugby scrum. Smith stated that a solid scrum will provide a reliable source of possession and will also disrupt the possession of the opposing rugby team. Furthermore, a dominant scrum can sap the energy and morale of the opposition.
Considerations
Health and safety is a primary concern in such a physical event as a rugby scrum. The danger of rugby scrums was highlighted at the 1995 World Cup when Ivory Coast rugby player Max Brito was paralyzed. In order to protect the players, rugby leagues have since introduced more stringent rules to prevent the scrum from collapsing. In 2008, the British Journal of Sports Medicine published research supporting the positive effect of new rugby rules protecting players from injury.
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