Tackling above the armpit will be banned in rugby league matches in Britain to “make the sport safer and more accessible at all levels”, governing body Rugby Football League (RFL) has said.
The RFL announced on Friday that the permissible tackle height will be lowered from the shoulder to the armpit for all levels of the community game in 2024, as well as at age grade at professional clubs.
The change in tackle height will come into effect at the senior professional level in 2025.
Rugby Australia said earlier this month that it will introduce a two-year trial to lower the legal tackle height from below the shoulders to below the sternum across the community game, starting in February next year.
The change will apply to all competitions below Super Rugby level from February 10 until the end of 2025. It cover all premier grades, school competitions and pathway competitions.
The RFL in Britain also signed off on 44 rule changes suggested by the sport’s Brain Health and Clinical Advisory Group, including a trial of ‘Concussion Spotters’, match limits for professional players and a mandatory four-week off-season followed by two weeks of non-contact training.
“We believe (the changes) are essential, as Rugby League must respond to developments in medical and scientific knowledge to prioritise the safety of those that play,” said RFL chief executive Tony Sutton.
“… They offer exciting opportunities to increase the appeal and accessibility of Rugby League, especially at junior and community levels.”
Rugby Union has also taken steps in recent months to lower tackle height.
Leading UK sports law firm Rylands Garth said last month that 475 sportsmen and women – 450 rugby union and league players and 25 footballers – are now part of several lawsuits related to concussion.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
:laughing: :laughing:
mushi
Roar Guru
A coach said it once in a press conference. That's basically a peer reviewed study
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
how many times will the bunker be asked to check tackles?
Tony Dargon
Roar Guru
And actual enforcement of the rules
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Do we? What study did you get that from?
BigGordon
Roar Rookie
Many thanks for sending this link. That was a simple but very useful way to show exactly how good tackling can and shouldd work. You’re also right, the NRL is playing a really dangerous game. They’re working on the bare minimum principle, ie doing the least amount they think is required, for the smallest possible cost, to band aid a problem. The NRL’s approach is not helped by having a number of very influential figures deriding every change that’s made to help player safety. I can guarantee if this comes into force in Australia, many dinosaurs will be claiming the games gone soft, we might as well pay touch football, etc.
Rosie
Roar Rookie
I think below the shoulders is sufficient. No head or neck contact should be clear enough for players to understand and officials to adjudicate on. For NRL or just League in general there needs to be clearer definitions on grading of high tackles and the penalties for them
Brett Allen
Roar Rookie
But they won’t because the tackler has to lock up the ball. None of this matters given that we know that the vast majority of concussions in RL occur to the tackler when he goes low and gets his head in the wrong position.
Working Class Rugger
Roar Guru
It 100% will and has in practice. Not League but in the amateur (fourth division down) ranks in French Rugby similar laws have been in place for a few seasons now. Not only does data show a 30% decrease in concussions and 64% decrease in contact to the head. But having seen games involving these laws the overall flow of the game with an increased offloading aspects has changed significantly. I'd expect similar to occur in League after an initial period of adaption.
Working Class Rugger
Roar Guru
This is the explainer vid they seem to be using for the rule change. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rncx7-cn_Yc Look at the legal tackles. While they are saying 'armpit' in the demonstrations in is very much sternum and below. So as you suggest even if they slide up they shouldn't result in a illegal tackle. As for the NRL opting to keep its head in the sand on the issue. That's a really dangerous game to be playing as all that is required is for one of the UK suits to succeed. It doesn't matter which one and then everything changes and a big part of why Rugby and now the RFL are doing this is to mitigate any potential impact it could have. If the NRL is shown not to have even tried then things could get hairy.
Cugel
Roar Rookie
Below the sternum, if it gets that far, means no locking up the ball. Which, on the surface, could mean a significant change to gameplay.
BigGordon
Roar Rookie
Yeah, the thought of being on the hook for tens or hundreds of millions of pounds is going to get the RFL's attention for sure! I know the NRL has similar concerns but right now they seem to be adopting the "head under the pillow" tactic - if I can't see it, it will go away. The issue for the tackling height is not about the first point of contact, but about NRL coaches in particular trotting out the argument that the first point of contact was legal, ie below the armpits. That's why I'm hoping coaches will get their blokes to tackle lower, ie under the sternum so if the arm does slide up, it shouldn't get close to the neck or head. As you said, that lower aim point is ideal to make a really strong tackle
Working Class Rugger
Roar Guru
Understandable that the RFL has taken this step as like Rugby in the UK they are also staring down a potential class action suit by a raft of former players in relation to CTE related issues. And it's something the NRL needs to look at doing as well. And before anyone suggests this will lessen the spectacle it's lowering the line by about 6 inches. Right in the zone of what constituents a good tackle.
BigGordon
Roar Rookie
I hope the NRL follows the RFL's lead. More to the point, I hope the coaches take note and actually coach their players to tackle just a tad lower