A maul is formed when a player carrying the ball is held by one or more opponents and at least one of the ball carrier’s teammates binds on. All players involved must remain on their feet, and the team in possession attempts to drive forward while keeping control of the ball.

A maul requires at least three players on their feet: the ball carrier, one teammate, and one opponent.

Mauls most commonly occur immediately after a lineout, although they can form in open play as well.

They look like this:

Step 1: Identify that a maul has occurred.

Use your rugby knowledge and the definition above to recognise when a maul has formed.

Step 2: Label the maul.

Press "1" (Home Team Possession) or "2" (Opposition Team Possession) > Press "U".

Q: What is a maul?

A: A maul forms when the ball carrier is held by one or more opponents and at least one teammate binds onto the carrier, with everyone staying on their feet and the ball still in play.

Q: How many players are required for a maul?

A: At least three: the ball carrier, one teammate bound on, and one opponent holding/engaging—everyone must be on their feet.

Q: Do mauls only happen from lineouts?

A: No. They most commonly form after lineouts, but they can also form in open play when contact meets the maul requirements.

Q: How do I code a maul that collapses?

A: Code the maul. If the referee awards a penalty for collapsing/illegal action, code that penalty separately at the referee’s signal time.

Q: If the ball becomes unplayable in a maul, is that an infringement?

A: No. An unplayable ball results in a turnover/scrum decision, not a penalty infringement—unless the referee specifically awards a penalty.

Q: If a maul becomes a try, do I still code the maul?

A: Yes. Code the maul event and then code the try when the ball is grounded.

Q: If the ball carrier breaks off the maul and runs, what happens?

A: Code the maul. Then code the next action (ball carry, tackle, pass, etc.).

Q: How do I treat a maul that moves backward?

A: Movement direction doesn’t change the fact it’s a maul. Code it as a maul; the outcome will depend on what happens next (turnover, collapse, try, etc.).

Q: Can a penalty be awarded after a maul ends?

A: Yes. If a penalty is awarded, code it separately at the referee’s signal time, in addition to the maul event.

Q: What’s the practical cue that a maul has formed?

A: Look for: ball carrier held upright + teammate binds on + opponent engaged, and all remain on feet. If the carrier goes to ground, it becomes a ruck situation instead.

Q: What’s an Unplayable Ball in a Maul?

A: During a maul that forms 5 meters from the defending team’s goal line, the ball becomes unplayable after the maul has been stationary for 5 seconds. The attacking team has not used the ball resulting in a Scrum for the opposing team.

Q: Can mauls occur in open play?

A: Yes. A maul forms when the ball carrier is held up for long enough and the referee clearly determines that a maul has been formed.

Q: If the ball carrier’s knees hit the ground and the referee signals no maul, do I code a maul?

A: No. Do not code a maul if the referee signals there is no maul.

Q: If the ball carrier's knees hit the ground, should you code it as a maul?

A: No. This situation often arises from a choke tackle, where the defence deliberately tries to hold the ball carrier up to force a maul (and win a turnover scrum). However, if the ball carrier's knees hit the ground and the referee signals no maul, do not code a maul. You must always watch the referee to see whether they deem it a maul or not. Watch the video below for an explanation/examples of choke tackles.