Positioning at the scrum

[Wolrabs]

On TV, I see the referees standing behind the SH which in my mind means they can't see what is going on.

In my ELRA, I was told to stand in the SH position and then when I was happy with the scrum to move away and let the SH in.

When I have done this, I have been criticised (mainly by the coaches) for stopping or blocking the SH.

Where should I be positioned? I prefer to be where the SH should be with them behind me.

Thanks.

Sean

 

[Phil E]

I stand in the middle for the first couple of scrums, then move to one side, if all is going well.
I tell them at the brief, when I am happy the scrums are going to behave and not wander all over the pitch, I will move away and let you stand in the middle, but if the scrums aren't stable, then I will stand back in the middle and prevent the put in until the scrum stops playing come dancing.

Its up to them.

 

[Dixie]

Wolrabs, I think that you need to take control at your level, which means standing exactly where you do. What you really need is a response to the criticism. I would suggest the following:

Mr Coach, you'll know that law 20.1(j) requires that the scrum must be stationary and the middle line must be perpendicular to the touchline before the ball goes in. When I am confident that this is the case, I enable your scrum half to put the ball in; were I to do as you suggest, there would probably be a lot a Free Kicks against your team under 20.1(j), which is not really in the best interests of the game in general and your team in particular.

 

[talbazar]

I generally stand just on the right shoulder of the SH putting in:
- I'm tall (6'1) so I can see about everything on the scrum
- I've got a view on the feed
- I don't prevent quick feed or movement from both SH

Now I agree with Dixie: if I'm not happy with the stability (or anything else) in the scrum, I will take the position in front of the SH to ensure stability... I just tend to assume at first that players want to play...

Cheers,
Pierre.