First, binding in the scrum. You can get creative with the scrum if you like, but there is one law you have to pay attention to - all players except the front row have to bind on to a lock. You can shift the 8 man, move the flankers forward and back on the lock, but everybody has to bind on to a lock. You should always have at least eight players in the scrum unless you have a man sent off or an injury, theoretically you can bind more people into the scrum, but no one has really figured out a good way to do that and keep the scrum together.....(otherwise we would be seeing a lot more creative scrumming).... I guess you could double your 8 man up if you like... it would be interesting to see how that would work out.  Anyway, nice try, but practice your binding if you are going to do something creative, and let the ref know what you are trying to do.

Second issue - jackling, it came up a couple of times. Only the first in to the tackle can handle the ball as the ruck forms if he remains on his feet. In a related issue, in a case where a tackle is made and a second player participates, the second man in is not entitled to remain offsides after the tackle. He must release the ball carrier, and come back through the tackle box. The first in can get to his feet and fight for the ball without being offsides. (Before the ruck forms)

Unfortunately this falls under referee game management and is more of a practice of the individual ref and the governing body than a law.

Here are the applicable laws:

The defensive scrummie must keep both feet behind the ball as it moves through the scrum.

The defensive scrummie must not lean on or touch or interfere with any of the players bound into the scrum.

The offensive flanker must not move to interfere with the defensive scrummie's movement around the scrum.

Also, keep in mind the general catch all - prevent dangerous play.

In US game management guidelines it specifically mentions keeping the defensive scrummie out of the pocket for safety.

In some countries in Europe, the assumption is that if you got into the flanker pocket that at some point you violated one of the laws to get there - so (even if the ref didn't see it) you were probably interfering or offsides.

In others - (my preference) the ref should watch the play, if the defensive scrummie can get in the pocket legally, play on. If not, call what caused the problem... don't confuse the game by making up a new 'law'. If the flanker moves out to create a huge gap and prevent the scrummie from following - blow up the flanker.  This is the 'call what you see' approach, without assuming what might have happened that you didn't see.

Any and all of the above interpretations are valid in the ref's judgement to control the safety of the game. However it is called, it has to be consistent.  Like many things in rugby, if you are concerned - ask.

My personal interpretation is informed by actually playing scrummie - and dealing with flankers that cheat. (Ask some of the old guys where the ninja comments came from.) A word of caution however - if you are in the pocket, you are in range of the flankers feet, and very likely to get stomped on, legally. You are also likely to cause scrums to break up if you get caught in a retreating scrum....  if you touch a flanker, lock, or number 8 and they unbind... its your fault not theirs.  If you choose to use this tactic... do it carefully.

1) You have to be on your feet to make a legal tackle. 

2) You cannot leave your feet (diving in) to make a tackle.

3) You must tackle below the line of the shoulders.

4) You have to wrap your arms around the ball carrier and take them to the ground.

5) You cannot lift and drive so that the ball carrier's head or shoulders hits the ground before the rest of their body.

6) To complete the tackle first you must hold them on the ground, then release and roll away or get up.

Simple right?

A few additional things - New players get confused with offsides and sometimes don't make tackles in the open field. Offsides applies at set pieces (after a tackle, rucks, mauls, scrums, lineouts, kicks) and when your team has the ball. If the ball carrier is running in open play, it doesn't matter which angle you approach them from - make the tackle.

At times you will take the ball carrier to the ground, but you will still remain on your feet. When this happens it is perfectly legal to attempt to take the ball. (You are on your feet, the other person isn't.) You do NOT have to let go of the ball if a ruck forms around you. This only applies if you were the person that made the tackle. If you are the second or later player in, you cannot play the ball with your hands if a ruck forms.

Once a tackle is made you have to start thinking about offsides. The second person in from either team has to come from their side of the field. So, after your teammate makes a tackle, if you are in front of the tackle, you must retreat and re-enter from your team's end of the field to help ruck or to secure the ball. Same thing if you are the tackler and lose your feet during the tackle, once you regain your feet you must approach from your end of the field.

One note on rucks, generally if you lose your feet, the ref will give you time to get back on your feet. If however, you first join the ruck on your knees or out of control - its going to get blown up. 

Timing in the scrum - engage and lock, keep your balance, don't move your feet (especially the hooker) until the ball is released from the scrummies hands.  A voice command would help - player calling out when the ball leaves the scrummies hands to get the initial drive and the hooker gets on top of the ball. Same on defense - defensive scrummie can see best when the ball is released, let the guys know.

Binding is extremely important these days, also, wrapping on the tackle. (Same theme - control)  You gave up a couple of penalties due to poor binding or shoulder tackling.

Back play - positioning (lineouts, scrums)... someone has to take control of the back line - usually the fly half - at set pieces. Players wandering around not sure of what to do is guaranteed to cost you penalties.  The TR fly half did a great job of this... watch other teams and see how they control their players.

You only had one case of lack of control in the ruck... that is great, but it still is a problem. I know when you get tired its tough to get back on your feet... however laying in a ruck WILL BE PENALIZED!  If you lose your feet and fall forward , roll out of the way, or get back on your feet!

You should really think about drills for this - late in the practice when you are gassed and still need to make the effort to get on your feet and in the game.

All in all a very good game to start the season.  It was a pleasure to call the game, you guys caused a lot fewer stoppages than the other team due to sloppy penalties... good job.

1) STAY ON YOUR FEET!!!!   Its simple, if you are not on your feet, you cannot play rugby. A player on the ground is ASSUMED to be interfering in play. Your only role if you are on the ground is to get out of the way, and get back on your feet.

2) If you are not on your feet LEAVE THE BALL ALONE!!!!   See point #1 above, if you try to play the ball, and you are not on your feet, its pretty much a guaranteed penalty.

If you avoid these two things, you will do fine... don't worry about offsides and other rules, you will pick that up as you go. These two problems kill your game and give the ball away more than anything else.

Dan