The maul
A maul typically evolves from a contact situation where the ball carrier is held by an opponent but is not brought to ground. It can develop into an effective method of retaining or contesting possession. A maul can be a dynamic attacking platform which commits defenders and therefore creates space to play. On formation of the maul, offside lines are created.
Law definition
A maul begins when a player carrying the ball is held by one or more opponents, and one or more of the ball carrier’s team mates bind on the ball carrier. A maul therefore consists, when it begins, of at least three players, all on their feet; the ball carrier and one player from each team. All players involved must be caught in or bound to the maul and must be on their feet and moving towards a goal line. Open play has ended.
Key points for players
- Maintain forward momentum and make the ball available to your team mates
- First arriving support player attempt to secure possession by ripping the ball free or driving beyond the ball
- Subsequent support (second and third arriving players) bind onto the ball carrier and maintain forward momentum
- Heads and shoulders should be no lower than hips and all players must be bound
- Drive forward in a balanced formation
- When additional support arrives, move the ball further back from opposition
- Once the ball is at the back, the ball carrier can either continue driving, leave the maul or pass to a team mate
All support players must conform to basic safety key factors:
- Adopt a strong and stable body position
- Keep the spine in line with the direction of drive
- Drive from low to high
- Bind onto team-mate making contact using the shoulder and arm
- Remain on your feet at all times while driving forward
Player safety research for the maul tells us that players should:
- have the ‘eyes up’ to keep head and neck in a good position
- keep head and shoulders above hips at all times
- make contact by binding on a player using the whole arm
Coaching tips
- Use conditioned games to develop support players’ decision-making skills
- Practise and re-practise all contact skills
- Use opposition progressively: e.g., touch, maul touch, defenders with bags, full contact
- Ensure all players maintain a strong body shape throughout the contact and emphasise joining the maul legally by binding onto a team-mate
- Ensure all players are aware of the Laws governing the maul, especially those relating to safety; players in defence must be encouraged to remain on their feet at all times and not illegally ‘pull down’ a maul
Referee tips
Check that:
- The ball carrier remains fully bound
- Players joining the maul do so from behind the feet of the hindmost player and by binding onto a teammate
- Players who are not participating in the maul remain behind their offside line
Watch for:
- Players who drag opponents out of a maul
- Players who try to collapse the maul
- Players charging into the maul
- Players lifting opponents in the maul