WRU launches a tackle height law trial

[Phil E]

well even turning a shoulder for contact you do lower your height and brace of course...

Yes, but your not necessarily putting your head into the same space occupied by the tacklers head.
That's what we are trying to avoid, two heads in the same space.

 

[Balones]

Yes, but your not necessarily putting your head into the same space occupied by the tacklers head.
That's what we are trying to avoid, two heads in the same space.

So is it going to be clarified that you can be late and low if you lead with your shoulder and not your head? Is it possible to lead with your shoulder and not have your head in the same space?

 

[Phil E]

So is it going to be clarified that you can be late and low if you lead with your shoulder and not your head? Is it possible to lead with your shoulder and not have your head in the same space?

If you are late and low, then you have given the tackler no time to adjust his position. If this means your shoulder makes contact with the tacklers head, then you (the ball carrier) may be liable to sanction for initiating the head contact.

Dangerous Play
9.11 (a) Players must not do anything that is reckless or dangerous to others including leading with the head, shoulder, elbow or forearm, or jumping into or over an opponent.
(b) Ball carriers must not lower their height significantly before making contact with an opponent in open play.

 

[Balones]

I understand that completely. It is meant to protect the defender from the ball carrier. What I am wondering, and the question I was asked, is what can the ball carrier do to protect himself/herself from injury from a late, (not illegal) hard tackle from a defender? How are we going to adjudge the difference between a ball carrier going late and low to protect himself and a ‘late and low’ to break a tackle and gain ground?

The discussion came out of a chat with players at a local club when a player asked if he could lower into a tackle late if the defender goes low late and is going to put his shoulder into his ‘nuts’ Instead of his midriff.

 

[Phil E]

I understand that completely. It is meant to protect the defender from the ball carrier. What I am wondering, and the question I was asked, is what can the ball carrier do to protect himself/herself from injury from a late, (not illegal) hard tackle from a defender? How are we going to adjudge the difference between a ball carrier going late and low to protect himself and a ‘late and low’ to break a tackle and gain ground?

The discussion came out of a chat with players at a local club when a player asked if he could lower into a tackle late if the defender goes low late and is going to put his shoulder into his ‘nuts’ Instead of his midriff.

Low means head below hips, so you can still brace yourself and lower your height without putting your head below your hips.
If you can attend one of the many Tackle Safe Clinics they explain it all from both sides with practical demonstrations.

 

[Balones]

The feedback I’ve been getting was that attendees were not impressed and that questions were not answered.

I haven’t been invited to one. - yet. Our meetings don’t start until August.

 

[Flish]

The feedback I’ve been getting was that attendees were not impressed and that questions were not answered.

I haven’t been invited to one. - yet. Our meetings don’t start until August.

Just book on via GMS if you’re in RFU Land like any training course, I’m off to one this week although mostly aimed at players and coaches

 

[crossref]

Riddle me this one .. decision I believe was play on

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1674370892913336320

 

[Ciaran Trainor]

Riddle me this one .. decision I believe was play on

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1674370892913336320

Are they using the new laws? This new season at community level, clearly a penalty against ball carrier.

 

[Balones]

I think we need to get rid of the phrase ‘late and low’. I would say that this was in breach of 9.11a&b. But I don’t necessarily think it was ‘late and low’. It could be said that this was ‘early and low’. What is late or early is (going to be) subjective. But few would argue against the intention that the law makers want this action to be regarded as illegal.

 

[Dickie E]

Are they using the new laws? This new season at community level, clearly a penalty against ball carrier.

And what colour card?

 

[Ciaran Trainor]

And what colour card?

for me Red

 

[didds]

for me Red

its difficult not to come to that conclusion, on the basis that if it was the defender instigating that head clash with that degree of force it would surely be a RC.

 

[crossref]

for me Red

Red this month under the new laws ?
What about last month ?

We have our society training next week, looking fwd to it

 

[Marc Wakeham]

Dangerous play under existing let alone new laws. Red card.