World Rugby’s Executive Board has recommended that Unions participate in an opt-in global trial of lowering the tackle height in the community game to below the sternum.
World Rugby’s Executive Board has recommended that Unions participate in an opt-in global trial of lowering the tackle height in the community game to below the sternum (also known as a “belly tackle”).
National unions are encouraged to consult with their community game games, and any implementation will be backed by a comprehensive roadmap of education and resources that will support its implementation locally at all grassroots levels of the game. Unions will also be encouraged to undertake formal research into the impact of the intervention, enabling World Rugby to fully evaluate the trial and determine future steps.
The move follows extensive analysis and consultation with unions and reflects the international federation’s core mission of a global sport for all, seeking to enhance the experience for players in order to keep building engagement across the globe.
Supporting a safer more enjoyable game
World Rugby-endorsed pilot trials of lowered tackle heights have been conducted in the community game in France and South Africa. These trials have been proven to deliver positive advancements in terms of player safety – reducing the number of head impacts and concussions – and the overall game experience – supporting increased ball in flow. The changes have helped to increase player participation.
Change driven by emerging science and evidence
In line with its six-point plan to make the sport the most progressive in the world on player welfare, World Rugby continues to be guided by science and research as part of a relentless focus on reducing injury risk via education, sanction and law change. A reduction in the legal tackle height to below the sternum demonstrates increased safety outcomes while retaining the unique characteristics of the game.
Rigorous independent research shows that the tackle is responsible for 74 per cent of all concussions. Reducing the height of the tackle protects both players. The ball carrier is protected directly because head contact leading to injury can be significantly reduced, while the tackler is protected because their head will be in what is known to be a safer proximity with the ball carrier’s torso/upper body. Tackles where the tackler’s head is in proximity to the ball carrier’s body above the sternum are more than four times more likely to result in a head injury, and so bringing tackle height down will benefit both players.
In light of this compelling evidence, including research using the latest smart mouthguard technology, World Rugby is recommending the legal tackle height be lowered on an opt-in global trial basis. Several unions have already announced their intention to support it.
Supporting national unions with implementation via Game On Global
If approved by Council, the tackle height guidance, including comprehensive education tools, will be built into the existing Game On Global programme, which provides unions with a suite of modified contact law variations for the community game. It also complements a broadening of non-contact game. World Rugby believes that this ‘rugby for everyone’ package is essential to rugby’s future growth, prosperity and sustained appeal.
‘Rugby for everyone’ – tackle height action plan through to World Rugby Council in May
World Rugby Chairman, Sir Bill Beaumont, said: “It is important that we continue to explore ways that we can make our game as enjoyable and safe to play as possible. The community game is the lifeblood of our sport, representing 99 per cent of our participants, and the proposed tackle height adjustment has already delivered positive game shape and playing experience outcomes in pilot trials – this is essential to the sport’s future. The evidence we have, from France in particular, shows that not only does reducing the tackle height make the game safer but it increases numbers playing as well. That has to be the aim for everyone involved in our game.”
World Rugby Chief Executive Officer Alan Gilpin added: “If our sport is to continue to grow, we must ensure that we are accessible and relevant to more people around the world. That means never standing still when it comes to advancing player welfare and experience. With compelling emerging evidence showing that a lower legal tackle height means a lower head injury risk, as well as more people playing, we are compelled to act.
“Change can be difficult. We appreciate that there will be sections of the community game who will question this move, but we must not lose sight of the fact that such a change has the ability to enhance enjoyment, reassure parents and welcome many new participants to the sport we all love.
“While this is a community rugby initiative, we would be open to discussions with unions who may wish to explore the possibility of a future closed trial at the elite level which would broaden research data. It must be noted that the elite and community environments are very different, they are essentially different playing experiences and sports.”
The recommendation was endorsed by World Rugby’s Community Rugby Committee and follows consideration by the national union Development Directors group in October 2022.
Supporting Research
Initial data from the Otago Community Head Impact Detection Study (ORCHID) was presented to the 2022 World Rugby Player Welfare and Laws Symposium by Prof Melanie Bussey of the University of Otago (ORCHID). That data shows:
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