Use It Meaning in Rugby Union

Use it is a verbal instruction given by the referee to the team in possession of the ball at a ruck or maul. When the ball is clearly available to be played but the team is delaying the restart—often to waste time or wait for support—the official will shout ‘Use it!’ Once this command is given, the team has exactly five seconds to move the ball away from the breakdown. If they fail to do so, the referee blows the whistle and awards a scrum to the opposing team. For example, a scrum-half might wait at the base of a ruck to let his forwards catch their breath; the referee will then intervene to keep the game moving. This rule is essential for maintaining a high tempo and preventing negative, slow play. It forces teams to be decisive and keeps the action continuous for the spectators. Beginners will often hear this shout right before the ball is passed out to the backline.