“Oh, and there’s a scrum along the boards,” a hockey commentator might say.
Not likely. A scrum is organized. Players get in specific positions and try to get the ball back to their teammates behind them. In hockey, a faceoff is as close as you’re likely to get to a scrum.
What’s usually called a “scrum” is much closer to a ruck, which happens within the flow of the game in rugby. Any number of players can get involved in the action — if you’re close to the ball or puck, you jump in.
So to keep it straight:
– Scrum: Players form interlocking circles with specific positions, and the ball is put into the fray by someone on the outside.
– Ruck: The ball is down, during the run of play, and players contest possession. It can get kind of rough.
– Maul: Similar to a ruck, but the ball is off the ground.
– Darth Maul: Ball is in the air, and players contest possession with light sabers.
Duresport.com 