What is a Scrum in Rugby?

The term "scrum" has gained increased usage in every day language as rugby has obtained popularity among sports fans worldwide. The scrum is a specific action that restarts the game of rugby after the ball has gone out of play or a foul has been committed. The term now also is used regularly when referencing a physical grouping of players in American football and in ice hockey.

  1. History

    • A scrum, which puts the ball back into play in rugby football, is the abbreviation for the word "scrummage." Rugby football consists of rugby union and rugby league. Rugby union is played by two teams with 15 players on each side. Rugby league is played by two teams that each have 13 players.

    The Play

    • A scrum is needed if the game stops due to a foul (rugby league only) or when the ball has gone out of play. Scrums are more common in union than in league games.

    Features

    • The forwards of each team crouch side-by-side with locked arms. The players of each side bind together in three rows, engaging the opposition team so that the heads of the players in the front rows are interlocked. The team that did not commit the foul or push the ball out of play introduces the ball into the the space (tunnel) between the legs of the two sets of front row players. Both teams compete for the ball with their feet, trying to move the ball backward to a teammate.

    Differences

    • There is a difference between scrums in rugby league and rugby union. For rugby union, both sets of forwards try to push the opposition backward while fighting for the ball. This gives the team that did not throw the ball into the scrum an improved chance for possessing the ball. For rugby league, forwards do not push in the scrum. The team that places the ball in play almost always retains possession.

    Fun Fact

    • The modern rugby scrummage and the American football snap and scrimmage are derived from the early scrummage rules.