|
International
Rugby Board - Scrum Law Changes 01/01/07 Scrum Law changes
- law 20.1(h) The IRB Council has approved a change to the Law that
governs the scrum from 1 January, 2007. This follows a review of the
scrum by the IRB Rugby Committee and its Law Project Group following recommendations
made by the IRB’s Medical Committee. The Law change will see the implementation
of a four stage “crouch, touch, pause, engage” sequence for the
initial scrum engagement at all levels of the Game from 1 January, 2007.
law 20.1(h) Rewrite as: The referee will call "Crouch"
then "Touch". The front rows crouch and using their outside
arm each prop touches the point of the opposing props outside shoulder. The props
will then withdraw their arms. The referee will then call "Pause".
Following a pause the referee will then call "Engage". The
IRB have produced a Series
of Example Videos to explain the new Rules (wmv format) From
the Law change it is evident there are now four distinct and separate instructions.
Referees should ensure they do not start the engagement process until both scrums
are stationary and balanced. The scrums must remain
stationary throughout the four instructions, if the scrum becomes unstable at
any stage during the sequence the referee shall blow his whistle and ask the front
rows to stand and restart the process, unless the referee deems one side has wilfully
offended, in which case they will be penalised. Engaging
The Front Rows
Before commencing the sequence the referee shall mark with
his foot the place where the scrum is to be formed. Crouch
The
referee shall not call crouch immediately but wait to witness how both scrums
form up, it known from experience some sides will go to a full crouch early, it
is at this stage the referee will call CROUCH. If a side on the referees instruction
fail to crouch in a horizontal position that side renders themselves liable to
a penalty. Touch
On the call of the referee, not
before, all four props using their outside arms shall touch the point of the outside
shoulder of their opposing prop before withdrawing their arms.
Players are
reminded that the touch sequence is not a race, the referee will not move onto
the next instruction until satisfied all four props have adhered to the Touch
sequence. Props who fail or refuse to touch in the agreed manner render themselves
liable to penalty. Touch Judges are reminded they have a responsibility to advise
the referee of any player failing to comply with the instruction. Pause
Players
have to remain stationary and balanced throughout this element of the sequence,
referees will penalise players who he believes wilfully destabilised the scrum,
thus slowing down the process. Engage
The final
phase of the sequence, the instruction for the players to come together, should
players refuse to engage or engage before the instruction they will render themselves
liable to penalty. Conclusion
All participants
(players, coaches and referees) have a responsibility to create as safe a playing
environment as possible. The iRB believe this Law change will reduce the impact
at the engagement and with forwards at the correct height we will see an associated
improvement in the bind which it is hoped will minimise the number of collapsed
scrums., At present great concern has been raised regarding
the length of time front rows are asked to remain in the crouched position. While
sympathising with this view, to ensure referees apply the new law coherently and
effectively players and coaches alike MUST ensure they accept the principle; the
referee will control the engagement of the scrum. IRB
Scrum Law changes
|
