Question about the ruck?

Question

I'm still learning, so I apologize if this is a stupid question.

After the tackle (in union), I'll see the ball come out of the ruck, free from the pileup, and a player will stand there with his hands hovering over the ball for several seconds before he picks it up. Why does he do that? Is he waiting for his teammates to get into position? Does he have to wait for the referee to tell him it's OK to pick up the ball?

Answer 1

hes protecting the ball so it will be cleaner and his team mates will have a more secure ball to use in turn making the other team unable to smash into the other side of the ruck and knocking the ball out of the acting scrum-half's hands!!

Answer 2

if the ball is on your side and the scrumhalf has not touched it that means the ball is not in play and they have enough time as they need for their back line to get into position. as soon as they touch the ball the other scrumhalf can tackle them or anyone on the opposing team for that matter.

Answer 3

okay, first of all, do you mean that one team has clearly won possesion of the ball at the ball is won to the "back" of the ruck on that teams side, then that teams number 9 will distribute the ball to either a pod of his forwards or send it out to the backline, he likely waits with his hands hovering, because as soon as he places them on the ball the ball is live, so he waits and makes sure he has a target before picking the ball up and getting tackled having no one to pass to.

Answer 4

Yes he's waiting for his team mates, once the ball is out of the ruck he can pick it up when ever he likes. Remember the opposition can't come round the ruck and tackle him before he picks up the ball, but if they can get through the middle on their feet (virtually impossible!) then they could pick it up first.

Answer 5

He is waiting for his teammates to get into position.  The reason that he stands with his hands "hovering" the ball is that the ball is considered to be out of the ruck and a live ball when the scrum half puts 1 hand on the ball.  So he doesn't touch the ball until his teammates are in position

Answer 6

The ball is out once it passes the hindmost foot as well (same as for a scrum). That's why you see the odd player hit a ruck but stick his back leg out past the ball. It means the ruck isn't over and the defence can't advance. A forward waiting to "pick and go" from a ruck, will often wait for a teammate or two to arrive behind him to help his impact and momentum as he picks the ball up and drives forward.

One thing that annoys me and seems to get missed a lot by referees these days, is when a player who is already part of the ruck [illegally] reaches back and picks the ball up into the ruck, to start a maul.

Anyway.

Answer 7

Also, of course if nobody else is standing over it and all rucking players are not supporting their own weight, technically the ball is not part of the ruck and therefore can be picked up by either team.

Answer 8

yes he was waiting for his teammates because once the scrum half or someone who got there first because the scrum half wasn't doing his/her job touches or picks up the ball its any one's game, meaning live you could tackle him and advantage is over.it might be a little different depending on what you play (sevens,ten a side,fifteen a side,ect.)