Back to Refereeing HomepageLAW 22. MAUL
A maul, which can take place only in the field-of-play, is formed by one or more players from each team on their feet and in physical contact closing round a player who is in possession of the ball.
A maul ends when the ball in on the ground or the ball or a player carrying it emerges from the maul or when a scrummage is ordered.
If the ball in a maul is on or over the goal line the maul is ended.
(1) A player joining a maul must have his head and shoulders no lower than his hips.
Penalty:- Free kick at the place of infringement.
(2) A player must not:-
(a) jump on top of players in a maul
(b) wilfully collapse a maul
(c) attempt to drag an opponent out of a maul.
Penalty:- Penalty kick at the place of infringement.
(d) take any action while the ball is in the maul to convey to the opponents that the ball is out of the maul.
Penalty:- Free Kick at the place of infringement
(3) A player is not in physical contact unless he is caught in or bound to the maul and not merely alongside it.
(4) (a) When a maul remains stationary or stops moving forward or collapses (not subject of Law 26 (3) (h)) or the ball in a maul becomes unplayable, a scrummage shall be ordered. The ball shall be put in by the team NOT in possession at the commencement of the maul.
If the referee is unable to determine which team was in possession the ball shall be put in by:
the team which was going forward prior to the stoppage; or if neither team was going forward by the attacking team.
(b) If a player catches the ball direct from a kick by an opponent other than from a kick-off or from a drop-out, and is immediately held by an opponent so that a maul ensues and the maul becomes stationary or the ball becomes unplayable his team shall put in the ball at the ensuing scrummage.
Notes:- (i) Direct from a kick means the ball has been caught without having bounced off the playing surface or without having touched or been touched in flight by another player.
(ii) When the maul becomes stationary but the ball is being moved and can be seen by the referee, he should allow a reasonable time for the ball to emerge but not permit the maul to start moving again. When the ball in a maul becomes unplayable the referee should not allow prolonged wrestling for the ball and should order a scrummage.
(iii) If the ball carrier in a maul goes to ground including being on one knee or both knees or sitting on the ground, a scrummage is to be ordered unless the ball is immediately available for the continuation of play.
For Off-side at Maul see Law 24 C.
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