Whats the rule in rugby union for the defending team lining up after a tackle??

Question

Okay, so in the games I've seen, after a ball carrier has been tackled, the defending team will line up along the length of the field, and will only rush when the ball has been passed on from the point of tackle.

My coach always said something about "Only the tackler can be touching the tackled player" or something like that. But what is the real rule? Why don't more people join in a tackle from either team? How do you know when to line up or when you're allowed to run?

Answer 1

for a start it sounds like you are describing league. but i believe you are talking about the breakdown  after a tackle in union.

Once you have been tackled you have to put the ball down in which case 2 or 3 members of your team will usually step over you to create a ruck. This prevents any memeber of the opposite from taking the ball as it creates an offside line much similar to in American football where you have a scrimmige (i think) to signal the sart of the play where you can't step over the line.

If the opposition want to force a turnover you have to enter the ruck straight on and drive them back so that the ball is behind you.

I hope that makes sense it did to me.

Answer 2

the simple rule is this; if there is a ruck or a maul and you are not involved in it, you must be behind the feet of the last man on your side who is in that ruck/ maul.

you can only go when the ball comes out of the ruck/ maul. i make it a point to always clarify with the ref if two hands on the ball is considered "out" or if the ball has to be playable.

as for when you can join the breakdown, its best to join it only if you stand a GOOD chance to get the ball or turn it over. otherwise its wasted over.

Answer 3

Yeah, one of the problems that bedevil the current game of rugby union is the rules surrounding 'the breakdown', or those seconds after a tackle is made. Sometimes the ref's decision seems more like a lottery to both fans and players alike.

And I agree with the first reply - from your question it MAY be that you are actually talking about rugby league. If you are, then ignore all this :-)

But to try and simplify it, there are basically 2 options for defenders once a tackle is made.

1/ Join the 'ruck' to try and push the opposition off the ball and win it for your side. Actually that's hard to do if the attackers are on their game, but it's worth trying - and anyway another priority is to try and slow down or disrupt the attacker's winning of the ball to give your defenders time to get organised.

or you can

2/ Form a defensive line across the field preparing for when the ball is freed and another attack is mounted. Because of the difficulty in getting any advantage from a defensive ruck, this option has become much more popular with defensive coaches lately. Why tie up a defender in a low percentage ruck when you may need them a few seconds later to make a tackle 30 metres away.

The defensive line must stay behind the 'hindmost foot' of the ruck. They can only rush forward when the ball is free of the ruck. That is defined as being (I think) when it rolls 1 foot away from the players in the ruck, or when the player acting as a halfback puts his hand on the ball to pick it up intending to pass or run with it. At that point it's all on again.

One tactic used by attackers is to make repeated rushes from these rucks forming a succession of them. The aim here is to either break through or to force defenders to commit more players close to the ruck thereby making more room for the outside attackers.