Rucks

Rucks are phases of play in rugby football, most commonly associated with rugby union, in which the ball is on the ground after a tackle and players from competing teams contest possession. The term describes a legal scrum-like contest that occurs on the field as players strive to win the ball back for their team.

Formation and basic rules: A ruck forms after a ball-carrier is tackled and comes to ground. Players from both teams arrive over the ball, bind together, and push with their feet while the ball remains on the ground. Hands are not used to win the ball while it is in the ruck; the ball is typically moved only by the feet. Players must join from behind the hindmost foot of their side, and the offside line is defined by the position of the players in the ruck. The ball exits the ruck when the team in possession uses a legal kicking or stepping motion, or when the referee calls a stoppage.

Offenses and penalties: Common infringements include entering from the sides, not staying behind the hindmost foot, players coming to support from in front of the hindmost foot, hands in the ruck, collapsing the ruck, or delaying the release of the ball. Referees award penalties or free kicks for these offences, and players may be penalized with a yellow card for repeated or dangerous infringements.

Mauls versus plays: A maul is a related but distinct contest that occurs when the ball carrier remains on his feet and is held by opponents, with the ball off the ground. Rucks differ in that the ball is on the ground during the contest.

Rucks are a fundamental and frequent element of rugby union play, shaping accessibility to the ball and the pace of the game. In rugby league, the post-tackle contest is structured differently and does not use the same ruck framework.