What is a scrum halves job in the scrum?

Question

Can you please list me step by step on what to do as a scrum half in the scrum. This is my first year in rugby and we have a game tomorow and im still not clear on what to do in the scrum. Also can you explain to me what is offsides. Im an American freshman rugby player in high school and we have a game tomorrow. Thanks!!

Answer 1

okay, offside is confusing for a scrumhalf, so try to follow!



At a scrum, your offside line is a line through the ball, if it's your ball, once it's fed, your job is to take it out again from behind the number 8 (or 2nd rower depending on how the scrum ends up!) You'll have to be behind the ball to pick it up, so you don't really have to worry too much.



At a defensive scrum the rules are slightly different.



The ball is still the offside line, BUT if you advance past your front row, you must stay within 2 metres (about 6 feet) of the scrum till it ends, basically if you follow the ball to the opposition side, you will be harrassing the other 9 and trying to get him before he gets the ball away.



The other option here is that you MAY move across field from the scrum, but you must stay behind your front rowers. Given that the backlines must be 5 metres back from the base of their scrum, this puts you out in the middle no man's land, and means you are probably going to be the first man to make a tackle. Remember that your offside line is now your front row, and that you can't go past that line. This can be a really good tactic, as this law has not been in action long and it's generally not very well understood. To the opposition coach, you will look offside and they will probably whinge about it. May be a good idea to check the ref knows this law too prior to kick off.

Answer 2

The scrum halve feeds the ball into the scrum and then picks it up from the back of the scrum and passes it to the outside half. but sometimes the number 8 picks the ball up instead.



to stay onside in rugby you have to stay behind the ball. if there a set piece like a scrum or line out. if there is a ruck or maul you cannot approach them from the side or from the back. You have to go into them straight on from you side or else you will be penalized for being offside.. if a member of you team kicks the ball you can not chase it unless you were behind him when he kicked it or until he runs in front of you. However in open play i.e play that's not from a set piece there is no offside.



hope this helps.

Answer 3

You really need to talk to your coach. The scrumhalf's role in the scrum is absolutely critical and you need to be clear on this stuff.



Offside is a tricky subject in rugby, and its definition depends on the circumstances. But in general it means that you need to play offense from behind the ball carrier. In the ruck after a tackle you must position yourself behind the "hindmost" foot" of your side of the ruck. On offense it won't matter because you will be pulling the ball out of the ruck. On defense, just line up with the rest of your side behind the ruck. Lineouts are relatively simple -- you are to be within two metres of the lined-up forwards, ready to take a ball off the top, pull it out of a driving maul, or marking the opposing scrumhalf when they have the throw-in.



In the scrum, the scrumhalf is responsible for feeding the ball into the scrum and (usually) recovering it at the rear. You will always put the ball in on the side of your loosehead prop -- that puts your hooker closer to the ball and gives him an advantage with his strike. You hold the ball straight, with the long axis parallel to the ground. Immediately before the put-in touch your hookers hand (the one bound to the prop) with the ball to let him know it is coming. The put-in must be in the "tunnel" -- the gap between the two front rows -- and straight, although the official will generally allow you some leeway. A common trick is to tilt the ball so the right end is lower and spin it at the put-in -- this will naturally cause it to bounce towards your side of the scrum, and is perfectly legal. Practise this a few time and you will see what I mean.



After the put in you job is to follow the ball as it (hopefully) moves towards the rear of your scrum. Then -- depending on the situation you will field the ball yourself and (1) run with it; (2) pass off to your #10 or another back or (3) box kick the ball into enemy territory for your backs to chase. Another option is to slap your 8-man on the behind (telling him to unbind and field the ball himself) and then support his run.



The offside rule during a scrum varies on who has the put in -- if your side has the put-in you must keep at least one foot on your side of the ball. If the other team has the put-in you must keep both feet on your side of the ball. On defense your job is to stick to the opposing scrumhalf as closely as you can (while staying on-side) and do everything you can to disrupt his distribution of the ball.



There is a lot of information here to absorb -- and it takes experience. You might want to check out the Wikipedia article on playing rugby union ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rugby_union_gameplay ). It has a pretty good explanation on play, with some useful links.

Answer 4

If it's your scrum you just need to put the ball in and stand back, hoping that you'll get it back as the forwards drive over it. When you get it, you should then pass it off to your backs, but that is your choice.



If it's not your put in, you still need to stand behind your forwards and hope you get the ball.



You are offside if you are in front of the player (on your team) who has the ball. If you are offside, you cannot interfere with play and need to get back behind the player who has the ball.