A scrummage, commonly known simply as a scrum, is a method of restarting play in rugby football that involves players packing closely together with their heads down and attempting to gain possession of the ball. Depending on whether it is in rugby union or rugby league, the scrum is used either after an accidental infringement or when the ball has gone out of play. Scrums occur more often, and are now of greater importance, in union than in league. Starting play from the line of scrimmage in gridiron football is derived from the scrum.
Luke Burgess (rightmost player in black) introduces the ball into the scrum.
Scrum in sevens
Rugby football is the collective name for the team sports of rugby union or rugby league.
Football match on the 1846 Shrove Tuesday in Kingston upon Thames, England
Griffins RFC Kotka, the rugby union team from Kotka, Finland, playing in the Rugby-7 Tournament in 2013
Calcio Fiorentino match in Piazza Santa Maria Novella in Florence, Italy, painted by Jan Van der Straet
A scrummage in a La soule game in Basse Normandie, France, 1852