The scrum
The scrum creates a tunnel into which a scrum half throws in the ball so that front row players can compete for possession. It is imperative for safety reasons that all players understand the correct techniques for their position and collaborate with their opponent to stay on their feet.
Posture
The starting point is to understand the individual body shape required of all participants.
Keep a stable base with feet approximately shoulder width apart.
Poor practice
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Good practice
Bend at the knees and hips.
Keep a straight flat back with spine in line with the direction of drive.
Keep chin off chest and look through eyebrows.
Remain stable and comfortable in the crouch position.
Keep head and shoulders above hips at all times.
Ensure that feet, hips and shoulders are all square and flat.
Pre-engagement
It is most important that there is no forward pressure on the front row prior to engagement.
Assume the correct posture for your position.
Bind firmly and continuously throughout.
Keep weight off heels and stay on the balls of the
feet.
Ensure that feet, hips and shoulders are all square and flat.
- Poor practice: Greens.
- Good practice: Blues.
Ensure each prop is close enough to touch the opposing prop’s outside shoulder. indicates front rows are too far apart.
Prepare for engagement on the referee’s call by ensuring feet positioning and binding are correct.
If not in a safe position, shout “Not ready ref”.
Front rows keep eyes focused on the target area - “Sight your slot”.
Do not pre-empt the engagement sequence.
Scrum engagement
The front rows should set up opposite their engagement slot rather than directly in front of their opposition (offsetting).
Engage after following the sequence and only on the referee’s call of “engage”. (This is not a command, but an indication that front rows may come together when ready.)
Loose-head prop uses the left arm to bind onto the back or side of the opposing tight head prop’s jersey.
Tight head prop binds on to the opposing loose head prop’s jersey using the right arm.
Props must not exert downward pressure.
No player other than a prop may hold an opponent.
All players bind firmly and in accordance with the Laws of the Game throughout and until the scrum is complete.
Getting the timing, binding and posture right throughout the scrum engagement sequence are key principles of competitive and safe scrummaging. To improve technique in a safe manner, it is best to progress from one to three to five to eight player scrums - if possible, using a referee.
