Rugby
Scrums: formation, engagement and offside
How a Rugby Union scrum restarts play after a minor infringement, how the packs form and engage, and where players must stay onside.
Why a scrum is awarded
A scrum is a contested restart after a minor infringement or stoppage. In standard 15-a-side Rugby Union, eight players from each team bind: two props and a hooker in the front row, two locks in the second row and three back-row players.
Crouch, bind, set
The referee brings the front rows together only when both packs are square, stable and stationary. The engagement sequence is crouch, bind, set; players must keep legal binds and front-row body positions throughout the scrum.
Throw-in and contest for possession
The scrum-half throws the ball into the tunnel without delay and in a single forward movement. The scrum begins when the ball leaves the scrum-half’s hands; only then may the packs push, and the hooker of the team throwing in must strike for the ball.
Offside lines and when the scrum ends
Players not taking part in the scrum stay at least five metres behind the hindmost foot of their team. The scrum ends when the ball comes out, is played from the back, the number eight picks it up, the referee stops play, or the ball reaches the try line.