The ruck in rugby comes under the basic coaching section of tackling, rucking and mauling. Though for much of a game rugby can be about avoidance and looking for space, it inevitably becomes a contact sport and a tough one at that. Furthermore, the contact situations players engage in can be the very procedure which creates the space needed for others to attack.
Tackle, Ruck & Maul
The three customary contact situations occurring are the tackle, the ruck and the maul. Here’s a basic description of each:
Tackle
Only the player carrying the ball can be tackled by the opposition. Tackles happen when the player carrying the ball is held and brought to the ground by the opposition. To maintain the game’s flow, the ball carrier when tackled must then release the ball immediately after. In turn, the player(s) tackling must release the player carrying the ball with both rolling away from the ball. When other players come to try and gain possession of the ball, a new phase of play is initiated.
Ruck
We’ve got more details below, but essentially the ruck is formed in rugby when the ball is on the ground and one or more players on their feet close in around it. Those players can be from each team. Players at this point cannot handle the ball in a ruck. They have to use their feet to move the ball or get together and drive over it. In doing that, the ball will emerge at the team’s rearmost foot and only then it can be picked up.
Maul
The maul occurs in rugby when the player carrying the ball is held by one or more opposing players, with one or more of the player in possession’s teammates holding on (binding). With that, a maul requires a minimum of three participating players. The ball must not be on the ground. Those in possession can try to gain more territory and get closer to the try line by driving the other team back. The ball can then be passed between players within the maul, eventually leading to it being held by a player not in the maul. The other way to do it is for a player to leave the maul carrying the ball and run with it.
Looking Closely at the Ruck
The ruck is a phase of play in rugby which can create opportunities for space and therefore attacking and point-scoring. When the ruck is formed, offside lines are created.
The Ruck from a Players’ Point of View
The rules of the game are one thing, but they naturally need to be understood differently from a players’ and referees’ point of view. These are the key points rugby players must keep in mind, from a good practice (coaching) stance, regarding the ruck:
- When the tackle is completed, the player carrying the ball should offer the ball up quickly, using both hands. He should do this as far away from the opposing team as possible.
- When players arrive, they should keep a strong and stable body stance. Head and shoulders should be above the hips at all times, eyes should be up and making contact when binding on a player. All of the arm should be used when joining the ruck.
- All of those within the ruck are to remain on their feet, supporting their own body weight.
- Players should join the ruck from behind the foot of the rearmost teammate within the ruck. This essentially represents the offside line.
- Those supporting the ruck must bind onto their teammates and drive over. If possible, drive past the ball. When the ball eventually leaves the ruck, the closest supporting player should pick up and play the ball.
- Players leaving the ruck must then immediately go back behind their established offside line.
As with all of the heavy contact within rugby, much research has been done regarding safety within the ruck. Keeping eyes up, as mentioned above, leads to a good neck position. Keeping the head and shoulders above the hips is crucial to avoid injury, while making contact by binding on a player using the whole arm is good to protect bones.
Coaches have a lot of work to do regarding the ruck, even at international level. They diligently assure that rucking and mauling is practiced over and over in advance of a game. Body shape remains key, even for established professionals, which is something coaches are constantly keeping an eye on.
The Ruck from a Referee’s Point of View
We’ve seen what the players need to keep in mind when it comes to the ruck. They will be doing so however based on keeping possession of the ball and trying to win the game. The opposition is not their concern.
The referee on the other hand has to watch everybody. Here’s what the ref needs to keep an eye on during the ruck:
- Referee’s must check that players joining the ruck are doing so from behind the feet of the rearmost player, and of course by binding onto their teammate.
- They must check that players are keeping their shoulders above their hips.
- They must also ensure that players remain on their feet when joining in the ruck, and until the ruck has ended.
Referees in rugby matches must also watch out for:
- Players deliberately jumping on top of the ruck.
- Players lifting their opponents out of the ruck.
- Players deliberately falling onto the ground over the ball.
- Playing trying to get possession of the ball using their hands.
- Rucking of the player instead of the ball.
- Players clearing out opponents not taking part in the ruck.
- Players not participating in the ruck breaking the offside line.
- Players charging into the ruck without binding.
As you can see, there is so much for a referee to watch out for regarding both the rules of the game, and player safety. Bearing in mind that the ruck is only one of many laws and phases of rugby, you can see why this can be such a complicated game to get to grips with for neophytes.