Ruck descriptors and definitions
Descriptor | Definitions |
Ruck28 | A ruck is formed when at least one player from each team is in contact, on their feet and over the ball, which is on the ground. Once a ruck is formed, additional players joining the ruck to compete for the ball, without being guilty of foul play, are considered rucking. |
Frequency of ruck | Count of ruck events during match play. |
Defender | |
How did the ruck start |
Tackle.
Maul. Lineout. |
Number of defenders in ruck | Count of defenders actively engaged in ruck. |
Speed of entry into ruck |
Fast: Running or sprinting – purposeful running with maximal effort, with high knee lift. Moderate: Jogging – non-purposeful slow running with low knee lift. Slow: stationary or walking, or no visible foot movement. |
Time in ruck | Duration (in minutes:seconds) from when the ruck has formed to when the ball is available to be played. |
Activity at the ruck23 27 |
No pressure: defenders are not actively attempting to regain possession. Early counter ruck: defenders compete for the ball without the use of their hands before attackers had secured possession. Late counter ruck: defenders compete for the ball without the use of their hands after attackers had secured possession. |
Attacker | |
Number of attackers in ruck | Count of attackers actively engaged in ruck. |
Speed of entry into ruck |
Fast: running or sprinting, purposeful running with maximal effort, with high knee lift. Moderate: jogging, non-purposeful slow running with low knee lift. Slow: stationary or walking – no visible foot movement. |
Ruck arrival23 |
Early: ball-carrier’s teammates are first to arrive and engage in the ruck. Late: tackler’s teammates are first to arrive and engage in the ruck. |
Activity at the ruck23 27 |
Clearing: attackers are actively pushing and/or driving opponents off the ball, either on their own or binding to team members. Protecting the ball: attackers are positioned over the ball to prevent access to the opponents. In sequence, a combination of clearing and protecting: attackers actively clear the ruck first, before protecting the ball. In sequence, a combination of protecting and clearing: attackers actively protect the ball first, before clearing the ruck. |
Ball-carrier falling direction23 |
Forward: ball-carrier falls with the ball positioned between the ball-carrier and the opposition’s try-line. Sideward: ball-carrier falls with the ball positioned between the ball-carrier and either side-line. Backward: ball-carrier falls with the ball positioned between the ball-carrier and their own try-line. |
Active ball placement23 |
Yes: ball-carrier actively placed the ball after going to the ground to continue play. No: ball-carrier fails to actively place the ball after going to the ground to continue play. |
Ruck outcomes | |
Ruck result23 27 |
Attacker retains the ball: attacking team maintains possession of the ball after the ruck contest and the ball is made available to be played. Defender gains the ball: attacking team fails to maintain possession of the ball after the ruck contest. Ball unplayable: ball is unavailable to be played by either team. |
Infringements | Penalty awarded against defender. Penalty awarded against attacker. Handling error by attacker. Handling error by defender. (Reason for infringement can also be captured). |
Injury | See injury in table 1. |
Injured player |
Attacker.
Defender. Not clear. |
Injury location | See injury location in table 1. |