ASSESSMENT OF SCRUMMAGING PERFORMANCE USING A PNEUMATICALLY CONTROLLED INDIVIDUAL SCRUM MACHINE

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The game of rugby places specific physical performance demands on players due to the unique phases inherent within the game. Scrummaging is a vital phase of the game, in which domination boosts the whole team performance as a result of pressurising the opposition and denying them quality possession (Greenwood, 1992). Effective scrummaging requires not only explosive leg power, but also the correct technique in order to control and channel the power within the positional constraints of the scrum. To accurately assess the scrummaging performance of players, tests must incorporate the specific technical skills required during scrummaging. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the capabilities of the pneumatically controlled Predator individual scrummaging machine to effectively assess scrummaging performance.