Rugby Maul

The what, how, why, where and when of the rugby maul. Find out what you do and how you use a maul to gain ground.

For a maul to form...

When the ball carrier is held but not brought to the ground a maul may form. You need to know when a maul has formed because it affects what you are permitted to do.

For a maul to form...

There must be a least three players. The three players must include

• The ball carrier
• An opponent, holding the ball carrier
• A team mate of the ball carrier, bound to the ball carrier

also

• Players must be on their feet and attempt to stay on their feet
• The players must be in the field of play
• The group of players must be moving towards a goal-line

Include all these bits of information in a clear, interesting picture in your head so you remember the maul. Mix up the order if that helps.

Remember the maul

If you haven`t created a picture of your own, maybe you will remember this.

When a maul has formed...

• The maul must keep moving towards a goal-line
• The players must attempt to stay on their feet
• Players must avoid collapsing the maul
• Players in it must have head/shoulders at/above height of hips

also

• An offside line comes into force for each team
• The offside line for each team is parallel to the goal-line and right behind the foot of the hindmost player in the maul
• Other players may only join the maul by coming from behind the offside line and binding onto the hindmost player in the maul

Reason for a rugby maul...

Using the skill and qualities of the forwards, the maul is a techniques for keeping control of the ball and moving the ball towards (and sometimes into) the opposition in-goal area.

The ball can be moved from player to player within the maul as long as the maul keeps moving towards one of the goal lines and the players stay bound together.

The maul is like a small swarm of bees with the ball tucked inside. Coordinate the pushing, vary the direction, smuggle the ball between players, move the ball forward. Stay Bound!

You find weak points in the opposition resistance and make progress. If no progress is being made the team holding the ball must move it to players outside the maul or risk losing possession.

If the ball is trapped within a maul that is not moving, a scrum will be set and the team not in possession of the ball will get the advantage of putting the ball into the scrum.

If you would lke to, find out more about mauling.