is a player deemed of their feet at a ruck when both?

is a player deemed of their feet at a ruck when both hands and feet are in contact with floor (basically in a press up position)

If you look in our "Most Answered" section you will find quite a debate on this subject.

My understanding is that a player can have their hands and feet on the ground, as you have said, but the referee will look to see that they are supporting their own body weight. So, their head and shoulders should be higher than their hips.

The Law is set out below for your help:

thank you simon helps alot so aslong as they can support their own weight if their hands were removed it is legal.

What about 16.3(a) - the player is off his feet.

I am begining to see the first player to the ball creating this (illegal) shape to protect the ball.

thank you william that is the understanding that i had that it is an illeagal shape and i have just started coaching an under 16's team and one or two of them are coming back from district training believing that that shape is the way to protect the ball when in my eyes and as you say it is an illeagal shape and will be deemed of thier feet. thank you again

 

No wonder the kids are confused- just watch the TV. Rarely do players entering rucks & competing for the ball have their heads above their hips. The A frame shape is illegal as defined by rule 16.3 e. But until the IRB start directing refs accordingly things wont change

A ruck is formed when one (or more) player from each team are bound & on their feet over the ball.

Having your hands on the ground is not on your feet.

However where does it say you can not latch onto the player on the ground and protect the ball (as long as your hips are lower than your shoulders).

thank u all these are all valid points and i think that the only way forward for rugby is for the refs to become more consistent at the break down and start reffing to the irb rule book rather than makin thier own assumptions that way all players will know what is expected of them and will know what actions they can and cant make at the ruck situation.