Nigel Horton's Rugby Scrummage Tip

Topic: The latest scrummage law was introduced in order to reduce the number of collapsed scrums. So far it has failed, why?

Discussion: : It has now, (April 2008), been sixteen months since the introduction of the new scrummage law: Crouch, Touch, Pause, Engage. However, there has NOT been a marked reduction in the number of scrums that collapse during a game. Recent World Cup games gave clear evidence of the dismal failure of this law to achieve its objective.

Contrary to the majority view, I believe this law change is radical. I further believe it is a good law change and that it will eventually have the desired effect of reducing the number of scrum collapses. BUT this will only be achieved when coaches wake up to the fact that the coaching techniques used prior to the law change are redundant and should be binned.

Prior to the introduction of the new law, the coaching of the scrum focussed on the principle of 'impact' scrummaging. In brief, both sets of front rows would sit back on their second row shoulders and on the command ENGAGE, would explode forward creating maximum forward momentum into the contact. On engagement, they would attempt to maintain the pressure on the opposition, by taking small steps.

With the introduction of the new law, the distance between the two front rows prior to the engagement has been reduced and forwards are no longer able to generate the same levels of force - the principle of 'Impact' scrummaging is no longer applicable.

'Impact' scrummaging also reinforced the principle of scrummaging on the balls of the feet, rather than the flat foot position, which was used successfully from the 60's to the 80's. Front row forwards are currently on their toes from the time the referee gives his direction to crouch, they stay on their toes when they touch and pause and remain on the balls of their feet at engagement. Consequently, they are unbalanced and their centre of gravity is higher by the distance their heel is off the ground - on engagement they hit from high to low, encouraging the collapse.

Nigel's Tip: I believe a key factor for scrummaging has always been balance and I would coach my pack to be flat-footed again and NOT on the balls of their feet. Not only would they engage from low to high, cutting the risk of collapse, they would also be far better balanced and have the added advantage of bringing their primary muscle group (the quadriceps) into play. A subject for further discussion.