Why does a scrum happen

The back row is, therefore, the two flankers and the number eight. The back row collectively are responsible for most of the pushing as they can set themselves and their weight from the back more easily. The flankers will line up somewhere between the back and can easily peel off once the ball is back in open play to help support any attack or defense after.

The number eight's responsibility mainly lies in keeping the scrum balanced and pushing. Once the scrum pack has been bound together, the scrum itself will start. The referee will command the scrum to start through three calls for actions:. When the referee calls crouch, the two scrum packs get into position to lock together. All members of the scrum pack at this point should be low to the ground. When the referee calls bind, the two packs first rows will bind to each other ready to begin pushing.

But at this point, they are not allowed to begin pushing. When the referee calls set, the scrum packs can crash into each other and try to move each other off the ball.

Two packs of players, straining every muscle for every inch of opposition territory they can claim. Of course, it's the scrum. It is used for restarting play after the following: The ball has been knocked on The ball has gone forward Accidental offside The ball has not come out from a ruck or maul Not every player can join a scrum.

Only eight players from each team can take part. They are almost always the eight forwards in the side. The scrum is formed at the place where the infringement happened. All scrums must take place at least five metres from the touch or trylines. However the scrum is one of the hardest areas of the game to referee because of the many infringements, particularly in the front row. Props must use the whole arm from hand to shoulder to grasp their opponent's body at or below the level of the armpit.

They must grasp their opposite number's shirt from the side or the back. They cannot go underneath and grab the collar or the sleeve of the upper arm. The two most common set pieces are lineouts and scrums, and here is a breakdown of the latter:. Anytime a player fumbles the ball forward, drops the ball forward, or passes it forward, the opposing team gets possession of the ball and gets to perform a scrum.

Scrums involve eight players from each team, who bind together and shove against one another. The shape of the scrum involves three rows; the front row, the second row, and the back row. The front row consists of two props and a hooker, the second row consists of two locks, and the back row consists of two flankers and a No.

The team with possession gets to roll the ball into the scrum -- the specific player who rolls the ball in is called the scrum-half. The ball then rolls its way back through the forest of legs back to the No.

Stats say injuries received during scrums have been dramatically reduced thanks to the changes made to this process of engagement. In order to win the ball from the opposition, or keep the ball when you have the put in, rugby teams benefit from countless scrum training sessions. The physical impact of practicing the rugby scrum can be very exhausting for forwards. Therefore most clubs tend to opt for a scrum machine to perfect their techniques.

Scrum machines allow the forwards in your rugby club to practice the set piece time and time again until it becomes second nature to them. The Static Sled Scrum Machine comes in 4 sizes to ensure both junior and senior rugby players can train hard on their game. Meanwhile the Reactive Kiwi Sled Scrum Machine is aimed at turning your pack into a well-oiled scrummaging machine!

All of its four pads react differently making scrum practice more realistic.