A maul starts with three players bound together on their feet with the ball off the ground. Understanding the complex laws is key to avoiding penalties being awarded against your team.
Three players – the ball carrier and one player from each side (which can then be added to).
Bound together – must be bound with a full arm, not just a hand.
On their feet – players must endeavour to stay on their feet in a maul, otherwise they are likely to penalised. The only player who can “go to ground” is the ball carrier.
Joining and leaving the maul
A player:
· Must bind on fully.
· Cannot jump on top of the maul.
· Cannot drag other players out of the maul.
· Cannot intentionally bring the maul to ground.
Any of these misdemeanours brings about a penalty. Note that a free kick will be awarded if you try to fool the other side into thinking the ball is out of the maul.
Offside at the maul
The maul has an offside line on the back foot (hindmost foot or last feet) of the hindmost player in the maul. A player can join by binding on the hindmost player or join alongside the hindmost player.
Any player not involved in the maul must retire behind the offside line.
Any offside results in a penalty.
A successful end of a maul is when the ball and or player leaves the maul, or the ball goes to ground. The ball carrier can go to ground with the ball in a maul, but the ball must be immediately available to play.
An unsuccessful end of a maul is when:
· A maul has stopped moving FORWARD for longer than 5 seconds (scrum).
· A maul collapses (not foul play – scrum).
If the ball becomes available in a stationary maul, the referee can allow a reasonable time for the ball to be released.
Otherwise he orders a scrum.
Whose scrum is it after a maul?
The
team NOT in possession of the ball when the maul started.
If there is doubt as to who had the ball when the maul started then the referee
gives the ball to the side that is going forward.
An exception to the law
A player who catches the ball from a kick other than a restart and then becomes immediately part of the maul, then the catcher team will have the put in if a scrum is ordered from the maul.