Defensive pattern off scrum

The strength of the Miami Rugby team when I played was its scrum, especially its defensive scrum. By vigorously practicing a few key scrum techniques we were able to disrupt opposing teams offenses in three ways: by giving them inconsistent hooks, by turning the ball over, and by giving our flankers and backs an extra step advantage in launching their defense. When I played hooker in Belmont Shore, and in Japan the disrupting power of a driving hooker became evident and we began calling offensive plays on defensive scrums. While coaching the Air Force Academy in the first season we scored more tries off defensive scrums than in all other ways combined. That year (200) our tight head prop was MVP, in 2003 using the same technique our tight head made the all American team even though he was in pilot training during try-outs. The Miami tradition of powerful defensive scrums carried the team to the Mid-west playoffs in 1994, where legend has it the team pushed over a try on a defensive scrum against Penn State, the scrum began on the 22 meter line. Strong defense and sure tackles start with a defensive scrum.


The strong scrum starts with and 8 man push, with hookers feet back in a driving position, flankers bound tight, in a driving position and the 8 man bound tight in channel 2 (between the second rows. The following picture of Cal v Navy in the 2005 national championships shows Cal executing the 8 man shove perfectly.

See how the Flankers are committed to the push, and have theirs eyes on the ball ready to launch their defense.

It helps to have the scrum half call a cadence for the scrum to drive in sync. It also is essential that a loud 'balls out' is called so the fowards don't give up too soon.


The importance of the 8 man push carry over to the backline defense. Look at how the Cal back are able to lean forward ready to pounce





















The effect of the 8 man push allows the flankers and backs to launch the defense quickly, and confidently to stifle any attack the opposition attempts. See the picture below. Cal defenders are 10 meters deep in the Navy backline. This is how teams win national championships.















One final note that distinguishes the Miami scrum mentality from others I have encountered is the sustained commitment to the drive. Nothing is more frustrating for me as a player, coach or spectator than to see a team execute a perfect 8 man shove, and drive the opposition back a meter and then let-up. Never let up if you have the advantage drive until the other team is completely demoralized, drive them back 5, 10 or 15 yards, give them dirty ball, let your scrum half wreak havoc. When you get the turnover, keep the ball in your scrum for a while and keep driving. Once you have the advantage keep it. Mastering the defensive scrum and launching your defense on your terms is the most important cornerstone to your game.