Isn't it time to shorten the ref's scrumming instruction from : "Crouch, touch, pause, engage!" ?

Question

Packs always engage prematurely. Shouldn't the "pause" be omitted?

Answer 1

This was introduced a few years ago for safety reasons.  Trouble is that it has never achieved what it set out to solve.  The number of reset scrums has escalated to ridiculous levels because of this lunacy which in my opinion is far more dangerous.  

Half the problem is that you have referees who have either never played the game or at least been in scrum and little or no idea about its technicalities, but now _instructing_ & adjudicating on its functioning. As a consequence a lot scrum penalties are a referees guess at best and confusing to the crowd.

Want to stop neck injuries? Perhaps give some thought to taking the hit out of the scrum ...

Answer 2

NO!

The change to the instructions to engage at the scrum were for safety reasons. They stop packs 'charging' into each other and reduce the risk of serious injury. The pause allows a moment before the hit....it means the props should be ready to take the weight.

To give you some idea of how dangerous scrums can be, a couple of years ago an England U21 prop was left with a broken neck and will be in a wheel chair for the rest of his life.

Even at this age group the forces generated are huger as 16 bodies collide. It gets scaled up even more when we talk about senior professional rugby....Props regularly weigh in at about 18 stone and frequently more.

As the laws stand it is meant to reduce this risk. The props are less likely to accidentally collapse the scrum (that's not to say some won't do it deliberately).

Answer 3

The whole thing about changes in rules concerning the pack especially scrummaging, is due to the number of players being injured and in a few odd occasions, especially in the amateur games seriously to the point of permanent disability.  As a player from the 70's and 80's the old way we used to pack down, almost at a win with the word engage, is so dangerous, literally snarling on the leash as you came together and the ref stepping away quickly, it is hard to go back too, then with the improvements into the 80's and 90's when people started getting fitter and leaner, the pack started to control the game at the breakdown with the scrum and it is now used as a means of making some real ground as the ball is further controlled.

It also gives the ref that extra second to control both packs and make sure there is more correct contact, you hardly see someone popping up now days and forcing a penalty or free kick, also on the amateur side especially at junior level I help coach and ref, the chance to make sure the pack is set correctly and safe is paramount, especially as the majority of the youngsters are not taught at school properly how to play sports now.

Each command, once players are safe are so quick, a second at most between each comand, just gives each pack that extra time to set for the challenge.

Answer 4

They only introduced the "touch" and "pause" commands a season or two ago for safety reasons.  The ref is supposed to ensure that the 2 packs are lined up correctly before giving the command to "engage", the aim is to reduce injuries (especially neck ans spinal injuries).

Answer 5

Given that this set of commands was introduced to reduce injuries, then why come up with the dumb idea of allowing players to collapse mauls,as this is a more dangerous area of the game than scrums. If they introduce any further rsetrictions on the scrum, we will all soon be watching rugby league with permanently uncontested scrums.

Answer 6

there is talk about them looking at this and also some other things in the new law changes

Answer 7

As a prop, i hate those calls.

Its the pause that messes with you, some refs call them as quick as they can say them, some leave a huge pause, its impossible for the team to set their bindings tight enough to be effective but loose enough to be able to squat without collapsing forward.  

The problem is that refs do NOT understand scrums, they're always backs who have zero respect for forwards, as most back don't.  The pause is needed for younger players, people can die in scrum collapses quite easily, but ever ref needs to have the same length of pause.

Answer 8

I really don't think it would make too much difference as the two packs are always itching to get at each other. If you omit the 'pause' then the forwards will just engage even earlier.

Answer 9

The 'pause' is not actually the bit that has been added - it's the 'touch'.

It was added to ensure the two packs were within touching distance to avoid the long-range charge that is dangerous. It is a bit doubtful it makes much difference AT THE VERY TOP LEVEL.

Most (if not all) serious injuries in this area happen in lower grades or lower-age rugby. Test players have conditioned themselves and have good technique.

It's also very clear that the word 'engage' usually means "oh, you already have".

The intent is a good safety method, especially in rugby below test level, but the practice isn't quite going right.