My understanding is "when player(scrum half) has control of the ball" that means even one hand holding the ball be it on the ground or in the air. Others say only when lifted off the ground with one or both hands? Is there a law covering this?When is the ball considered out of a scrum or ruck with respect to player handling it?
Bwana - this topic has been done to death several times, and yet it keeps coming back, because there is no straightforward, universal answer.
1. Marauder quoted what the law says.
2. A World Rugby clarification said that the ball is out when it is lifted.
Technically the scrum half is using his hands in a ruck or scrum, so the accepted view is that provided the ball has been clearly won, he may take the ball out (this sometimes means digging for it in a ruck).
The World Rugby ruling removes the old argument about "one hand or two" on the ball.
Pragmatically, at lower levels, the scrumhalf should remove the ball as soon as he can once he has played it, and the ball is out when it leaves the ruck
I think the irb pretty much cleared this up.
It's when he lifts it
http://www.irblaws.com/index.php?domain=9
And yet, if a scrum half was digging for the ball and as he lifted it was smashed by an opposition player while the ball was still within the tangle of bodies and legs, 99% of referees would penalise the opposition player for playing the scrum half before the ball was out (AND RIGHTLY SO).
The said clarification offers limited clarification.
The Laws of The Game state that the ball is out when it leaves the ruck. That is clear cut.
Good luck Bwana!!!