How does a scrum work in rugby sevens?
B · Beginner · Set pieces and discipline · 6 of 8Three players from each team bind together and push against each other while the scrum-half throws the ball into the gap between them. It restarts play after a minor error such as a knock forward. Teams have 15 seconds to be ready, all three must stay bound until it ends, and other players stay five metres back.
How it works
- Three: "A scrum must have three players from each team. All three must stay bound to the scrum until it ends."
- 15 seconds: teams "must be ready to form the scrum within 15 seconds of the mark being made", or a free-kick.
- When: after a knock forward or throw forward and after an unplayable ball. A team may also choose one in place of a penalty.
- The calls: the referee calls "crouch", "bind" and "set".
- The throw: the scrum-half throws the ball in straight, at a quick speed, so that it first touches the ground inside the tunnel.
- Pushing: only once the ball has left the scrum-half's hands, and straight.
- Striking: front-row players may strike for the ball with a foot once it touches the ground.
- Not out towards the opponents: in sevens a front-row player must not intentionally kick the ball out of the tunnel or out of the scrum towards the opponents' try line. Penalty.
- Feet only: players in the scrum may play the ball only with feet or lower legs.
- It ends: in sevens, "when the ball is played by that team's scrum-half".
- Offside: players not in the scrum stay at least five metres behind the hindmost foot of their team.
- Reset: if it collapses, wheels past 90 degrees or the ball comes straight out of the tunnel.
The glossary has the scrum, the scrum-half, the binding entry, the offside line, sevens and the free-kick.
Tricky cases
One of the three lets go early to chase the ball. Is that allowed?
No. All three must stay bound until the scrum ends. The sanction is a penalty.
A team takes 20 seconds to get its three players ready. What happens?
A free-kick to the other team.
The ball rolls straight through the tunnel and out the other side. Who gets it?
Nobody yet. The scrum is reset, with the same team throwing in.
A team has a player in the sin-bin. Does it still put three in the scrum?
Yes, as the sevens law reads: a scrum must have three players from each team. The law that lets a short-handed team reduce its scrum is deleted for sevens.
Why the rule exists
A scrum is a contest for the ball that also takes players out of the open field. With eight a side in fifteens it gathers sixteen players in one spot. Three a side keeps the contest and frees everyone else, and the 15-second limit stops it eating a short match.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Sevens | Three a side, ready in 15 seconds | WR Sevens Law 19.4; 19.5 |
| Fifteens | Eight a side, ready in 30 seconds | WR Law 19.4; 19.5 |
| Sevens | Kicking the ball out towards the opponents is a penalty | WR Sevens Law 19.23 |
| Sevens | Ends when the scrum-half plays the ball | WR Sevens Law 19.36 |
From the rule book
World Rugby, Laws of the Game: Rugby Union 2026, Law 19 and Law variations: Sevens, Law 19. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: Laws of the Game, Rugby Union 2026 (PDF).