Definition
A breakdown is another word for a ruck — they mean the same thing. A breakdown turnover occurs when the defending team legally wins possession of the ball from the attacking team during the phase immediately after a tackle, known as the breakdown. This usually happens before a ruck is fully established, but can also occur through legal contests once a ruck has formed.
Common types of breakdown turnovers:
Jackal: The most common type. A defender stays on their feet, enters from an onside position, and clamps onto the ball over the tackled player. If the ball carrier does not release the ball, the referee may award a penalty. If the defender secures the ball cleanly, play continues with a turnover.
Counter-ruck: Once a ruck has formed (players from both teams on their feet and bound over the ball), hands cannot be used. The defending team can still win possession by driving the attacking team off the ball, allowing a teammate to pick it up legally from their side.
Forcing a penalty: The defending team applies pressure at the breakdown and forces an attacking infringement (for example, hands in the ruck, not rolling away, or entering from the side). This results in a penalty and possession for the defending team.
How to Code
Step 1: Identify that a breakdown turnover has occurred.
A breakdown turnover is identified by one of the following:
The referee awards a penalty at the breakdown (for example, for holding on), resulting in possession for the defending team.
The team that was previously defending wins possession of the ball at the breakdown and play continues.
Use the definitions above and your general rugby knowledge to confirm that a breakdown turnover has occurred.
Below is a video example of a breakdown turnover where the referee awards a penalty to the Red team and penalises the White team for holding on:
Here is an example of a breakdown turnover where the team that was previously defending now has possession of the ball and no penalty was awarded for holding on:
Step 2: Code the breakdown turnover outcome. There are four scenarios depending on which team wins the ball and whether a penalty was involved.
A) Home team wins the ball WITH a penalty: Press "2" (Opposition Possession) > Press "R". Select "(Home) gained possession with a penalty" from the prompt. Identify the player who won the turnover and enter the jersey number, then press Enter. Ensure the start and finish times match the exact duration of the ruck.
B) Home team wins the ball WITHOUT a penalty: Press "2" (Opposition Possession) > Press "R". Select "(Home) gained possession without a penalty" from the prompt. Identify the player who won the turnover and enter the jersey number, then press Enter. Ensure the timeline matches the exact duration of the ruck.
C) Opposition team wins the ball WITH a penalty: Press "1" (Home Team Possession) > Press "R". Select "(Opposition) gained possession with a penalty" from the prompt. Identify the player who lost the turnover and enter the jersey number, then press Enter. Ensure the timeline matches the exact duration of the ruck.
D) Opposition team wins the ball WITHOUT a penalty: Press "1" (Home Team Possession) > Press "R". Select "Breakdown Turnover Lost (without penalty)". Identify the player who lost the turnover and enter the jersey number, then press Enter. Ensure the timeline matches the exact duration of the ruck.
Important to Remember
Q: What is a breakdown turnover?
A: A breakdown turnover is when the defending team legally wins possession at or immediately after the tackle area (the breakdown/ruck zone), through a legal contest once a ruck has formed.
Q: When does a breakdown turnover NOT need to be coded?
A: It should not be coded if it was a Jackal turnover, since it was a turnover before the Ruck is formed.
Q: What is a jackal turnover?
A: A jackal is when a defender stays on feet, enters legally from an onside position, clamps onto the ball over the tackled player, and wins possession or forces the ball to be turned over before the ruck is formed.
Q: What are the common infringements in a Ruck?
A: Common ruck infringements include: joining from the side/in front of the back foot, intentionally falling over on a player, intentionally collapsing a ruck or maul, handling ball in a ruck, and not releasing ball immediately in the tackle.
Q: What does “forcing a penalty at the breakdown” mean?
A: The defending team applies pressure and the attacking team commits an infringement (e.g., not releasing, hands in ruck, side entry). If the referee awards a penalty, the defence gains possession via the penalty.
Q: Can a breakdown turnover occur if play is stopped?
A: No. A breakdown turnover cannot occur if play is stopped or if the ball carrier is taken into touch, resulting in a lineout.
Q: Does the turnover have to occur at the ruck?
A: Yes. The turnover must occur at the ruck. If it does not happen in the ruck area, it is not a breakdown turnover.
Q: Should Jackal turnovers be coded as Breakdown Turnovers?
A: No, because Jackal Turnovers happens before a Ruck is formed.
Q: When exactly should I start and end the timestamp for a breakdown turnover?
A: Start timestamp when the ruck begins to form (first arriving support players binding). End timestamp when the ball is clearly won by the team or when the referee awards the penalty and blows the whistle.
Q: Who gets credited as the player for the turnover?
A:
Coding For Home Team: Credit the player who physically wins or secures the ball or the player the penalty is against.
Coding For Opp Team: Credit the player who causes the turnover.