Tackle rugby is a full-contact sport, fast-paced and with both formal and ad hoc formations that require intense physical contact with both teammates and opponents, and it is played without padding or other body protection. It is inherently dangerous, and every player will emerge from a well-played (tackle) match with bruises and scrapes, usually to the knees, elbows and hands. More serious injuries unfortunately do occur. When they do, most often it is the result of chance, but sometimes it is the result of reckless or dangerous/illegal contact on the part of the injured player, or another player.  More serious injuries are open cuts/lacerations, deep bruising, sprains and strains, on up to broken bones, joint dislocation and tendon/ligament damage, and dental injuries. 

 

 

 

In touch rugby, players have to tag (“tackle”) safely, without striking or swinging with their arms, without delivering a blow, and must control themselves with regard to all forms of contact.  The tag is two-handed, between the knees and the waist; this trains touch players to assume the correct body positions and stance to move up to tackle rugby.  When binding (for a maul or ruck), we train in proper binding techniques.  We also train in the proper setup and controlled binding of the srcum.  Also in touch rugby, ball carriers must be careful about running and passing in traffic.  We emphasize this in all training, and referees will penalize over-aggressive contact in touch rugby.

 

 

Our touch program is a fundamental building block for moving up to tackle rugby, where safety is even more important.  Safety is crucial for the tackle, for both the ball carrier and tackling player.  “De-footballization” (this is not a slam on football) is part of our effort, as we de-emphasize the big hit, the crashing-together of bodies, delivering any kind of blow.  A rugby tackle is a very specific, Lawbook-defined thing, and contact that deviates from this is dangerous and illegal.  Without padding, this type of contact is dangerous to all involved, it does not help either side, and it does not add to rugby’s enjoyment for players or spectators.

 

Tackles must be low and around the waist, and must take place with one or both arms wrapping the ball carrier.  The ONLY player on the field who may be tackled is the ball carrier; there is no blocking.

 

Arm shots, shoulder charges, body blocking and/or cross-checking are physically dangerous to both the tackler and ball carrier, and constitute illegal, dangerous and unsportsmanlike play (grounds for a yellow-card warning or immediate red card/send-off).

 

The jersey-sling/scrag tackle is illegal, as it dangerous to the ball carrier and to all in the swinging player’s arc.

 

Lifting a ball carrier off his feet in a tackle and slamming him to the ground is illegal.  Any form of tackle where a players is intentionally picked up is illegal.

 

Tackling a player in the air, while jumping to catch a ball also is illegal, as it is highly dangerous to the player in the air.

 

The traditional head-to-the-center-of-the-chest spear tackle is illegal, as it is dangerous to both tackler and ball carrier.

 

Leaving one’s feet--a flying tackle--is illegal and dangerous to both players.

 

See the photo at right for a good, legal rugby tackle.

 

Our coaches have been formally trained and certified by USA Rugby to introduce, train and coach youth tackle rugby, and we emphasize players playing in control, both mentally and physically.  Players must control their bodies on offense and defense to maintain legal and beneficial play, and for safety, and must control their emotions at all times to remain helpful to the team.

 

An injured player is in pain, and that is never an enjoyable aspect of the sport.  An injured player cannot help his team, in the match or in training.  An angry player loses focus, and also is of no help to his team.