A maul is a collection of players driving. The maul can either come from a lineout or can happen in open play as a player is held up in the tackle and the attacker can’t get their knees down.
Why is a maul used off a lineout?
A maul is an attacking device from a lineout which allow players to drive forward before a try scored or the ball has been played.
Physically dominant teams can use the maul score from close range lineouts.
The lifted player brings the ball down from the air and the lifters bind to the jumper and create a barrier protecting the ball. The rest of the forwards gather around the ball and drive forward.
What are the rules of the maul?
The rules of the maul mirror the rules of the scrum in that they revolve around safety. Once a maul is formed it cannot be pulled or taken down by the defensive team for any reason. This would result in a penalty.
Players must enter a maul from the back on either side. They also cannot change where they are binding to move forward in a maul.
A maul must keep moving. If a maul stops moving, the attacking team has five seconds to play the ball. If the maul stops moving and the ball can’t be played, the defensive team are awarded a scrum.
Any players who come out of their maul, must rejoin from the back of the maul.
How does a maul form in open-play?
A tackle is only complete when the attacker’s knees touch the floor. If a defensive team are able to tackle a player, without having their knees touch the floor, they are held up. They are given two warnings by the referee to use it and then the ball will be turned over to the opposition.
In 2025, the rugby world was in shock when Rassie Erasmus’ South Africa lifted a player in the middle of the pitch and brought it down as a maul. This suited South Africa’s physical and dominant style and basically gave them another set-piece in the middle of the pitch.
