Ruck law basics

The basic ruck laws that every rugby player simply has to know.

The dos

  • Players must enter from behind the back foot of the ruck.

  • Once a player has joined a ruck, they must remain bound to it.

  • Players have to stay on their feet at all times while they are involved in the ruck.

  • Players not involved in the ruck must stay behind their hindmost team mate's back foot. They cannot move forward until an opposition player has touched the ball or it comes out of the ruck.

The don’ts

  • Players cannot join the ruck from the side.

  • Players are not allowed to pull opposition players out of the ruck or attempt to pull the ruck down.

  • Players cannot handle the ball when a ruck has formed. Only the scrum half (or acting scrum half) can touch the ball and then only to pass it away from the ruck.

This article is taken from the Better Rugby Coaching e-newsletter. Click here to sign up and get free rugby drills and skills twice a week.

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