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Rugby Ruck

Know and understand the rugby ruck in rugby games so you can be confident about what you can do and what you cannot do..

When the ball is on the ground and players are close to it, a ruck may form.

For a ruck to form...

There must be at least two players, one from each team
The players must be in physical contact
They must be close around the ball

Players must be on their feet and try to stay on their feet
The players must be in the field of play

When a ruck has formed...

The players must try to stay on their feet
Players in it must have head/shoulders at/above height of hips
Players must avoid collapsing the ruck

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 ruck
Other players may only join the ruck by coming from behind the offside line and binding onto the hindmost player in the ruck
All other players must be behind or go behind their offside line

Reason for a ruck...

Using the skill, strength and bulk of the more powereful players, the ruck is one of the rugby techniques for gaining possession of the ball.

Within the ruck, the ball can only be played with the feet.

Even if the ball is within the control of the opposing team, with the right combination of skill, strength and bulk the opposition can be pushed backwards over the ball and made to lose possession.

Return from Rugby Ruck to Basic Rugby Rules

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Sydney, Australia