Back to Refereeing HomepageLAW 20. SCRUMMAGE
A scrummage, which can take place only in the field-of-play, is formed by players from each team closing up in readiness to allow the ball to be put on the ground between them but is not to be formed within five metres of the touch-line or within five metres of the goal-line.
The middle player in each front row is the hooker, and the players on either side of him are the props.
The middle line means an imaginary line on the ground directly beneath the line formed by the junction of the shoulders of the two front rows.
If the ball in a scrummage is on or over the goal line the scrummage is ended.
Forming a Scrummage
(1) A team must not wilfully delay the forming of a scrummage (F.K.)
(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 interest 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 (F.K.)
UNDER 19 VARIATION: Replace the previous paragraph with the following paragraph:
In the interests of safety each prop should touch on their opponent's upper arm, then pause prior to engagement, in the sequence: crouch, touch, pause, engage.
Notes:- (i) To the extent that it is necessary, the scrummage is to be moved from the place of infringement so that the scrummage is formed in the field-of-play and the feet of all the defending players in the scrummage are in the field of play.
(ii) When the place of infringement is within five metres of a touch-line the scrummage is to be formed five metres from that touch-line.
UNDER 19 VARIATION: Replace
Note (ii) with the following note:
When the place of infringement is within five metres of a
touch-line or agoal-line the scrummage is to be formed five
metres from that touch-line or that goal-line respectively.
(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. (P.K.)
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) Eight players from each team shall be required at all times to form a scrummage. While the scrummage is taking place the number of these players shall not be changed. These 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 the front row shall not be next to the head of a player of the same team. (P.K.)
Exception:
(a) when for any reason the number of players in a team is reduced to less than fifteen players, the number of players of each team in the scrummage may be similarly reduced. Any reduction must not be such that the number of players for any team in the scrummage is less than five. Where a permitted reduction is made by one team, there is no requirement for the other team to make a similar reduction;
(b) In the case of non-contested scrummages the provisions of Law 3 (12) shall apply.
UNDER 19 VARIATION: Replace Section 4 above with the following items (a) to (f):
(a) In an eight-man scrummage the formation must be 3-4-1 with the single player at the back (normally the number 8) packing between the two locks who must pack with their heads either side of the hooker.
(b) Throughout the duration of a scrummage there must be 8 players from each side in the scrummage except when these numbers are reduced by:-
* Availability
* A player or players ordered off under Law 26
* Injury
(c) Even allowing for the exception in (a) there must be never less than 5 players from each team in a scrummage.
(d) The composition of a scrummage, if a team is unable to field a complete team or maintain a complete team for any reason, shall be:-
* If one team is 1 short, then both scrummages must be a 3-4 formation.
* If one team is 2 short, then both scrummages must be a 3-2-1 formation.
* If one team is 3 short, then both scrummages must be a 3-2 formation.
(e) However, in respect of the three front row positions and the two lock positions in the middle row, should a team:-
* be unable to provide suitably trained replacements for an injured player or players
* be unable to field suitably trained players at the commencement of or during a match because of the lack of availability of players.
* have one or more of the above five designated players sent off under Law 26 AND be unable to replace them with suitably trained players from the remaining players, the referee must order a non-contestable or simulated scrummage which is a normal scrummage situation except:-
* there is no contest for the ball
* the team putting in the ball must win it
* neither team is permitted to push.
(f) There shall not be more than 8 players in a scrummage
Penalty:- Free Kick at the place of infringement. (F.K.)
(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. (F.K.)
(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. (F.K.)
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 all is emerging from the back of the scrummage and he move 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
* when the ball emerges from the scrummage
* if, in the scrummage, a player whose feet are the 'hindmost' feet in that scrummage, has the ball at his feet, unbinds and picks up the ball.
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 (P.K.)
(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. (P.K.)
(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 must grip the jersey (not the sleeve or arm) of his opposing loose head prop with his right hand and he must not exert adownward pressure. (P.K.)
(d) Any player in a scurmmage who is not a front row player must bind with one arm around one of the locks. Each lock must bind with the prop immediately in front of him. All participating players shall bind firmly and continuously while the scrummage is taking place. (P.K.)
(e) No outside player other than a prop may hold an opponent with his outer arm. (F.K.)
Note:- (xi) It is permissible for the outside (loose-head) 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 the put-in shall be awarded:
(a) as provided by the Laws;
(b) if not provided by the Laws to the team moving forward prior to the stoppage; or
(c) if neither team was moving forward, to 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. (F.K.)
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 metre from the scrummage and midway between the two front rows; (F.K.)
(b) hold the ball with both hands midway between the two front rows at a level midway between his knee and ankle; (F.K.)
(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. (F.K.)
(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 ball 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. (F.K.)
(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. (F.K.)
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 row must not at any time during the scrummage wilfully:-
(a) raise both feet off the ground at the same time, (P.K.) 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, (P.K.) or
(c) lift an opponent off his feet or force him upwards out of the scrummage, (P.K.) or
(d) kick the ball out of the tunnel in the direction from which it is put in (F.K.)
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 wilfully kicking out. Repeated kicking out must be treated as wilful.
(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. (F.K.)
(16) A player must not:
(a) return the ball into the scrummage, (F.K.) or
(b) handle the ball in the scrummage except in the act of obtaining a 'push-over' try or touch-down, (P.K.) or
(c) pick up the ball in the scrummage by hand or legs, (P.K.)
(d) wilfully collapse the scrummage, (P.K.) or
(e) wilfully fall or kneel in the scrummage, (P.K.) or
(f) attempt to gain possession of the ball in the scrummage with any part of the body except the foot or lower leg. (F.K.) or
Note:- (xx) Referees must be strict in penalising for the wilful collapsing of the scrummage as stated under Law 20(16)(d) and Law 26(3)(h).
(g) fall on or over the ball emerging from a scrummage.
(17)(a) The player putting in the ball and his immediate opponent must not kick the ball while it is in the scrummage. (P.K.)
(b) Neither of the players referred to in (a) should take any action while the ball is in the scrummage to convey to the opponents that the ball is out of the scrummage. (F.K.)
(18) A scrummage must not be wheeled beyond a position where the middle line becomes parallel to the touch line. The scrummage will be reformed at the site of the stoppage, the ball to be put in by the side that has gained possession or otherwise by the same team.
UNDER 19 VARIATION: Replace Section 18 above with a new Section 18 as follows:
(18) A scrummage must not be wilfully wheeled.
Penalty:- Penalty Kick at the place of infringement.
Note:-(xxi) If a player repeatedly infringes, he must be dealt with Under Law 26(2).
UNDER 19 VARIATION: Add a New Note (xxii)
Note (xxii) The referee should stop play if an unintentional wheel reaches 45 degrees. If it is wilful he will award a penalty kick, but if it is unintentional the scrummage will be reformed at the site of the stoppage.
Penalty:-(a) For an infringement of paragraphs (1), (2), (5), (6)(e), (8), (9), (12), (13), (14)(d), (15), (16)(a) and (f) and (17)(a) and (b), a free kick at the place of infringement.
(b) For an infringement of paragraphs (3), (4), (6)(a)(b)(c) and (d), (14)(a)(b) and (c), or (16)(b)(c)(d)(e)and (g), a penalty kick at the place of infringement.
UNDER 19 VARIATION: Add a new Section 19:
(19) Release of the ball It is illegal to push the opposing scrummage more
than 1.5 metres from the original middle line of the scrummage towards either
goal-line. A player must not hold the ball wilfully in the scrummage once
control is established at the base of the scrummage.
Penalty:- Free Kick at the place of infringement.
For Off-side at Scrummage see Law 24 B.
E-mail us