The maul
World Rugby · 2026The ball stays off the ground while bound players compete for it.
Formation and movement
A maul requires the ball-carrier and at least a player from each team, bound together and standing. Join from an onside position and bind to the hindmost player. The ball-carrier may go down only if the ball becomes immediately available. Deliberate collapse is a penalty. A player carrying the ball must not slide backwards through the maul.
When the maul stops
A stationary maul must restart moving within 5 seconds. After a “use it” call, failure to play the available ball within 5 seconds results in a scrum. Normally an unsuccessful maul gives possession to the team without the ball at its formation; after a direct catch of an opponent’s open-play kick, the catcher’s team instead throws in. Current or former participants cannot play an opponent within 1 metre clearing the ball.
Sources & approach ↗