Valke Rugby Referee Society

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Tackle safety project - referees

Main objectives

• Reduce risk of injury for both the tackler and tackled player.
• Reduce head contact collisions.
• Reduce the sharing of head space between tacklers and ball.

The Tackler

• Must be bent at the knees and hips.
• (Definition: Tackler must be bent in knees and hips with a realistic chance of tackling below the base of the sternum)
  
• Tackle between the knees and sternum.
• May tackle lower than the knees provided that he or she clearly wraps their arms around the ball carrier.

The Ball Carrier

• May brace for contact and lower his or her body position.
• May not run into contact with his or her head lower than his or her hips.
• May not dip headfirst into contact.

General

1. In the situation where there is a clear dip or sudden change in direction by the ball carrier, it will be expected that the tackler must be bent at the knees and hips not to be liable to penalty.
2. None of the above is applicable to assistant tacklers provided they don’t make head contact with ball carriers.
3. It is expected from double hit tacklers to still tackle below the sternum on a front on tackle.

Exclusions

The new tackle safety application does not apply to:

• Pick and drive scenario’s
• In the act of scoring a try
• Assistant tacklers (provided they do not make head contact)

Laws Applicable

Law 9.11

• Players must not do anything that is reckless or dangerous to others including leading with the elbow or forearm, or jumping into, or over, a tackler.

Amendment:

• 9.11 (a) Players must not do anything that is reckless or dangerous to others including leading with the head, elbow or forearm, or jumping into, or over, a tackler.
• 9.11 (b) A ball carrier may not run with his/her body fully bent or horizontal, or head lower than hips or lead headfirst into contact in open play. (Sanction: Penalty Kick)
  
•  Law 9.13
• A player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously. Dangerous tackling includes, but is not limited to, tackling or attempting to tackle an opponent above the line of the shoulders even if the tackle starts below the line of the shoulders.

Amendment:

• A player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously. Dangerous tackling includes, but is not limited to, tackling or attempting to tackle an opponent above the base of the sternum even if the tackle starts below the base of the sternum.
  

Clarifications

Law 9.11

• The term ‘open play’ refers to any phase in the match where the ball is being passed or kicked between team-mates and both teams are contesting for the ball. In open play, the team in possession tries to get the ball to players in space who can make forward progress towards the opposing goal line

• Therefore, Law 9.11 is not applicable to “pick and drive” scenario’s or in the act of scoring a try
  

The Cannon Arm

Principles

Ball carriers go to the ground either voluntarily or involuntarily

Involuntarily means:

A ball carrier going to ground through the actions of an opposition player or accidentally.  

The ball carrier either

1. gets tackled (as per definition) or
2. pushed (but not held),
3. ankle tapped (but not held) or
4. through an attempted tackle (but not held) or
5. slips (accidental)

Voluntarily means

A ball carrier goes to the ground not through the actions of an opposition player (the ball carrier chooses to go to ground)

• Therefore “Cannon Arm” is not applicable to ball carriers going to ground involuntarily.

Law 13

General Refereeing Principles

• If the referee is unsure, then PLAY ON
• A tackle that starts below the sternum, BUT ends higher than the sternum must be penalized
• The Head Contact Framework will apply even when a tackle that starts below the sternum, BUT head contact is made
• All forms of head contact should be guided by the Head Contact Framework
• The key idea is to remove heads from sharing head space

The following actions by players are not allowed

• No arms tackles below the hips (attempted wraps not enough mitigation)
• Cannon Arm to project forward by ball carriers (even in pick and drive scenario’s)
• Neck rolls
• Supporters latching pre contact (Definition of Latching: Bound shoulder to arm). Supporter may latch post contact

Framework – Application and Sanctions

Framework – Actions of the Tackler

• If the tackler is in a legal tackle position at point of contact (clearly bent at knees and hips and wraps with arms), that player cannot be sanctioned
• (NB, it is not how the tackler starts, but how the tackler finishes)
  
• The examples mentioned above is but a few to indicate that even if these events occur, a tackler that is legal will not be penalised

Framework – Actions of the Tackler

Examples of low degree of danger are as follows:

• Tackler upright and passive. No head contact
• Tackler upright and passive and tackles ball carrier from behind above the sternum

Examples of high degree of danger are as follows:

• The tackler does not wrap and shoulder makes contact above sternum. Movement is dynamic
• The tackler initially is bent at knees and hips, but then drives upwards and makes contact above te sternum. There is no clear wrap with the arms
• Stiff arm tackle above the sternum
• Shoulder charge

Examples of mitigation

• A sudden change in height by the ball carrier
• A sudden change in direction by the ball carrier
• Tackler’s view is obstructed

Framework – Actions of the Ball carrier

The ball carrier will not be penalised going with heads lower than his or her hips when:

• The ball carriers slips
• The ball carrier is ankle tapped
• In an attempt to score a try
• In a pick and drive scenario around the ruck and not in open play

Examples of LOW degree of danger

• Ball carrier drives into contact with head lower than his/her hips and makes no contact with any player
• Ball carrier drives into contact with head lower than his/her hips and makes soft contact with a defender

 Examples of HIGH degree of danger

• The ball carrier makes contact with the head of a defender
• The ball carrier is dynamic
•  Examples of mitigation
• The tackler suddenly changes height
• The ball carrier is pushed into contact

Framework in Action

SECTION 1

BALL CARRIER SITUATIONS

Process – Actions of ball carrier or tackler?

1. Ball carrier body height higher than 90 degrees going into contact? Or
2. Tackle above the sternum?

• Ball carrier body height lower than 90 degrees going into contact

Process in Action

Ball carrier drives into contact with head lower than his/her hips and makes soft contact with a defender

Outcome:

• Penalty only
• Low degree of danger

Process – Actions of ball carrier or tackler?

1. Ball carrier body height higher than 90 degrees going into contact? Or
2. Tackle above the sternum?

• Ball carrier body height lower than 90 degrees going into contact

Process in Action

• Ball carrier drives into contact with head lower than his/her hips and makes soft contact with a defender
• It is not an attempt to score a try

Outcome:

• Penalty only
• Low degree of danger

Process – Actions of ball carrier or tackler?

1. Ball carrier body height higher than 90 degrees going into contact? Or
2. Tackle above the sternum?

• •Ball carrier body height NOT lower than 90 degrees going into contact
  

Process in Action

The ball carrier’s head is not lower than his hips

Outcome:

• Play On
  

Process – Actions of ball carrier or tackler?

1. Ball carrier body height higher than 90 degrees going into contact? Or
2. Tackle above the sternum?

• •Ball carrier body height lower than 90 degrees going into contact
  

Process in Action

Ball carrier drives into contact with head lower than his/her hips and makes soft contact with a defender

Outcome:

• Penalty only
  
• Low degree of danger
  

Process – Actions of ball carrier or tackler?

1. Ball carrier body height higher than 90 degrees going into contact? Or
2. Tackle above the sternum?

• Ball carrier body height lower than 90 degrees going into contact
  

Process in Action

Ball carrier drives into contact with head lower than his/her hips and makes soft contact with a defender

Outcome:

• Penalty only
  
• Low degree of danger
  

Process – Actions of ball carrier or tackler?

1. Ball carrier body height higher than 90 degrees going into contact? Or
2. Tackle above the sternum?

• Ball carrier body height lower than 90 degrees going into contact
  

Process in Action

Ball carrier drives into contact with head lower than his/her hips and makes soft contact with a defender

Outcome:

• Penalty only
  
• Low degree of danger
  

Process – Actions of ball carrier or tackler?

1. Ball carrier body height higher than 90 degrees going into contact? Or
2. Tackle above the sternum?

• Ball carrier body height lower than 90 degrees going into contact
  

Process in Action

Ball carrier drives into contact with head lower than his/her hips and makes soft contact with a defender

Outcome:

• Penalty only
  
• Low degree of danger
  

Process – Actions of ball carrier or tackler?

1. Ball carrier body height higher than 90 degrees going into contact? Or
2. Tackle above the sternum?

• Ball carrier body height NOT lower than 90 degrees going into contact
  

Process in Action

The ball carrier’s head is not lower than his hips

Outcome:

• Play On
  

Process – Actions of ball carrier or tackler?

1. Ball carrier body height higher than 90 degrees going into contact? Or
2. Tackle above the sternum?

• Ball carrier body height NOT lower than 90 degrees going into contact
  

Process in Action

The ball carrier’s head is not lower than his hips

Outcome:

• Play On
  

Process – Actions of ball carrier or tackler?

1. Ball carrier body height higher than 90 degrees going into contact? Or
2. Tackle above the sternum?

• Ball carrier body height lower than 90 degrees going into contact
  

Process in Action

The ball carrier’s head is not lower than his hips

Outcome:

• Play On
  

Process – Actions of ball carrier or tackler?

1. Ball carrier body height higher than 90 degrees going into contact? Or
2. Tackle above the sternum?

• Ball carrier body height lower than 90 degrees going into contact
  

Process in Action

Ball carrier drives into contact with head lower than his/her hips and makes contact with a defender

Outcome:

• High degree of danger – puts tackler at risk of injury
  
• No mitigation
  
• Red card
  

Section 2

PICK AND DRIVE

Pick and drive is defined as “a player picking up the ball and driving forward without passing the ball to another player”

Tackle height safety change is not applicable to Pick and Drive scenarios.

What are we dealing with?

• Pick and drive
• Not applicable
• Play on

What are we dealing with?

• The first action by G3 is an attempt to score a try
  
• The second action is a pick and drive
  
• Not applicable
  
• Play on
  

What are we dealing with?

• All the actions are Pick and drives
  
• Not applicable
  
• Play on
  

What are we dealing with?

• Pick and drive
  
• Blue players latched before contact (Latch means bound to teammate before contact with full arm)
  
• Penalty vs Blue
  

What are we dealing with?

• Pick and drive
  
• Green players latched before contact (Latch means bound to teammate before contact with full arm)
  
• Penalty vs Green
  

Section 3

Examples where mitigation is applied

Tackler

• Tackle above the sternum?

YES

Process in Action

• Tackler bent at knees and hips
• Late dip by ball carrier, but no head contact

• Play on

Tackler

• Tackle above the sternum?

YES

Process in Action

• Tackler bent at knees and hips
• Late dip by ball carrier, but no head contact

• Play on

Tackler

• Tackle above the sternum?

YES

Process in Action

• Tackler bent at knees and hips
• Late dip by ball carrier, but no head contact

• Play on

Tackler

• Tackle above the sternum?

YES

Tackler

• Tackle above the sternum?

YES

Process in Action

• Tackler bent at knees and hips
• Late dip by ball carrier, but no head contact

• Play on

Tackler

• Tackle above the sternum?

YES

Process in Action

• Tackler bent at knees and hips
• Late dip by ball carrier, but no head contact

• Play on

Section 4

Examples where we will expect a penalty

Tackler

• Tackle above the sternum?

YES

Process in Action

Examples of low degree of danger are as follows:

• Tackler upright and passive. No head contact
  
• Tackler upright and passive and tackles ball carrier from behind above the sternum
  
• Penalty only
  

Tackler

• Tackle above the sternum?

YES

Process in Action

Examples of low degree of danger are as follows:

• Tackler upright and passive. No head contact
  
• Tackler upright and passive and tackles ball carrier from behind above the sternum
  
• Penalty only
  

Starting point

1. Contact by ball carrier or
   
2. Tackle above the sternum?
   

Tackle above the sternum

Process in Action

Examples of high degree of danger are as follows:

• The tackler does not wrap and shoulder makes contact above sternum.Movement is dynamic
  
• The tackler initially is bent at knees and hips, but then drives upwards and makes contact above te sternum. There is no clear wrap with the arms
  
• Stiff arm tackle above the sternum
  
• Shoulder charge
  

Examples of mitigation

• A sudden change in height by the ball carrier
  
• A sudden change in direction by the ball carrier
  
• Tackler’s view is obstructed
  
• Outcome: Penalty and YC
  

Starting point

1. Contact by ball carrier or
   
2. Tackle above the sternum?
   

Tackle above the sternum

Process in Action

Examples of low degree of danger are as follows:

• Tackler upright and passive. No head contact
  
• Tackler upright and passive and tackles ball carrier from behind above the sternum
  
• Penalty only
  

Starting point

1. Contact by ball carrier or
   
2. Tackle above the sternum?
   

Tackle above the sternum

Process in Action

Examples of low degree of danger are as follows:

• Tackler upright and passive. No head contact
  
• Tackler upright and passive and tackles ball carrier from behind above the sternum
  
• Penalty only
  

Starting point

1. Contact by ball carrier or
   
2. Tackle above the sternum?
   

Tackle above the sternum

Process in Action

Examples of high degree of danger are as follows:

• The tackler does not wrap and shoulder makes contact above sternum. Movement is dynamic
  
• The tackler initially is bent at knees and hips, but then drives upwards and makes contact above te sternum. There is no clear wrap with the arms
  
• Stiff arm tackle above the sternum
  
• Shoulder charge
  

Examples of mitigation

• A sudden change in height by the ball carrier
  
• A sudden change in direction by the ball carrier
  
• Tackler’s view is obstructed
  
• Outcome: Penalty and YC