maul

sports

Also known as: ruck

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 30, 2026

Quick Summary

In sports, specifically rugby, a "maul" is a phase of play where the ball carrier is held up by opponents, but not brought to the ground. Players from both teams may then struggle for possession of the ball while remaining on their feet. This is distinct from a "ruck," which occurs when the ball carrier is tackled and must release the ball. In rugby league, mauls have been abolished to speed up the game.1

The word "maul" can also refer to a heavy hammer, often with a wooden head, used for driving wedges or splitting wood. As a verb, "maul" means to beat, bruise, mangle, or handle roughly.23

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

6 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

rugby
Principles of play
…is known as a “ruck.” In this situation, teams must approach the ball from their own side of the ball only and must remain on their feet while playing the ball. When the player with the ball is stopped but not taken down to the ground, the struggle for…
Read More
…is known as a “ruck.” In this situation, teams must approach the ball from their own side of the ball only and must remain on their feet while playing the ball. When the player with the ball is stopped but not taken down to the ground, the struggle for…
Read More