Explain · Like I'm five version
A rugby scrum in terms of a tug of war
A rugby scrum is just a very grumpy, squashed game of tug of war where nobody gets to hold a rope.
In a game of tug of war, you pull on a string to move the other team. In a rugby scrum, eight players from each team pack together in a tight block, pushing against each other with all their might. It is like everyone is trying to squeeze into a small bus that is already full, but they are all grumpy because the bus driver has forgotten to start the engine. They push their heads against the other team to win the ball that rolls into the middle of the muddy pile.
The players have to stay very low and strong so they do not fall over like a stack of wobbly building blocks. It is a bit like a giant, sweaty cuddle where everyone is pushing in the opposite direction. You have to keep your feet planted firmly in the grass, just like when you are playing in the park, but instead of a prize for winning, you just get a very messy face and a bit of dirt on your shorts.
Once the ball pops out of the bottom of the pile, the game stops being a big push and starts being a race. Everyone stands up, wipes the mud off their knees, and runs away to find the ball again. It is a very loud, heavy way to start a game, but at least nobody has to worry about burning their hands on a rough rope while they are busy trying to stay upright in the scrum.
Where the analogy breaks downIn a scrum, players push forward rather than pulling backward, and there is no rope involved at all.