During a scrum, can the back row "push" the tight five into the other pack?

Question

Can the flankers give extra momentum to the props to get the initial "hit" into the scrum by pulling them back and giving them extra impact to the other pack by pushing them into them?

Answer 1

yes they can, but the general purpose of the flanker in the scrum is to push into the side of the prop keeping the front row tight

Answer 2

Italy use this tactic, I believe, only with the Number Eight rather than the flankers. The flankers are really there to stop the scrum wheeling, and to break off and tackle quickly.

Answer 3

I'd just leave the props to do their own thing, they have their own ideas about how to beat their opposite numbers. Just do your job, keep them tight and watch for breaks/charge down oppurtunities.

Answer 4

You will see a number 8 do this after the scrum has gone down. It is hard for him to get his head in position between the 2 locks unless he does this.

However for the flankers the laws state that they must be bound for the duration of the whole scrum. The word binding in this case means using the whole arm (including the shoulder) to attach to the scrum.. So difficult not to add extra impact.

Add to this the laws are that the drive should not be started until the ball is put in. So not much point trying this in case the ref decides it is a penalty against you!

As part of the scrum flankers should push diagonally inwards. This adds towards the push but most of all it keep the props square on. If you take off the flankers the props tend to 'pop out' of the side of the scrum due to the uneven forces.

Flankers must also keep their heads up to ensure that they can hit number 8 breaks when defending. When it is their own team's put in, they may well be required to help get the ball back to the numer 8's feet (they must use their feet and legs for this - use of hands would be a penalty against you! The ball will often fly out of where the flanker on the loosehead side would be otherwise. Not good!

The flanker's must stay bound until the ball leaves the scrum. This however can be a bit of an art form. Watch a match and see if the flankers are bound correctly - most refs are too busy looking at anything else and the flankers can get away with being bound with just a hand (if they are lucky)

Answer 5

The flankers don't add much to the push. Their job is to flatten the opposing scrum half or wing 3/4 when the ball comes free. You need a number 8 built like a tank and a darned good 2nd row for a good push..

Answer 6

it's a great thing to do.who cares about putiing pressure on the scrum-half/out-half? pushing a team back in the scrum gives them poor ball, putting pressure on automatically. gaining yards in a scrum is a huge psychological advantage aswell

Answer 7

yes, you should push, the harder you push, the more chane there is f your team winning theball, aslong as you push harder then the other team

Answer 8

yes but nt until the front row are engaged and pushing, ur real purpose is to stop the scrum from wheeling really and flatten the 3/4

Answer 9

Yes. Amongst other things, that's why you see the number 8 go in a bit later and really ram his head in there. For a bit of a follow up hit.

Answer 10

yes but dont get to involed with the push because if you lose the no8 may pic up and you need to tackle him

Answer 11

yes

Answer 12

Yeah, just remember, quick choppy steps will get you going. You're main purpose is to keep the tight five from expanding and wheeling, but by all means, push. Don't push until the balls in the tunnel, though. Usually, someone will yell "DRIVE!!" when the momentum forward is about to start.

If you couldn't push you wouldn't be in there at all. Don't pull back on your props, though, let them do their thing.

Make sure you're not so caught up in pushing that you forget to break off, though.