The Tackle A Short Summary of the Tackle

Purpose: To Understand … Basic aspects of a tackle. Responsibility of the players. Your role as a referee.

Definitions Tackle: Occurs when the ball carrier is held by one or more opponents and is brought to ground. Tackled Player: Player brought to ground while carrying the ball. Tackler: Player who goes to ground while tackling the ball carrier. A ball carrier who is not held is NOT a tackled player and a tackle has not taken place. A player who brings the ball carrier to ground, but does not go to ground, is NOT a tackler … but has completed a tackle.

Tackle Participants Tackler has to release the tackled player immediately, and move away or get to their feet. – Once on their feet, the tackler can play the ball from any direction. Tackled player has to exercise their options immediately. – If opposition players who are on their feet attempt to play the ball, the tackled player must release the ball Players who participated in the tackle but remained on their feet, must release the player and the ball, and then may play the ball as an arriving player. Players that slow the ball down should be penalized immediately.

Arriving Players Are to enter the tackle on their feet and through the Gate. May not bind/grasp the tackler/tackled player who is on the ground. May not intentionally go to ground, i.e. dive over or go to ground head first. May go to ground IF in process of removing opposition player; may not obstruct ball. – Teammates may bind onto player.

Referee Get to tackle as quickly as possible. Know where the ball is at all times. Create a presence at the breakdown. Facilitate fair contest for possession. Set standard, be consistent, & enable quick ball if attacker desire. Communicate expectations to players. Play penalty advantage for infringements. Near the try-line, move to in-goal or the defensive line. Maintain high work rate.

Discussion: Are All Tackles Equal? Tackler Not Releasing v The Tackled Player’s Intentions. Example: Off of a banger mid field compared to Open field near the Try line. How do you manage each? Any other questions?

General Game Management KNOW THE LEVEL OF THE MATCH. Understand the environment. Manage players in such a way as to get them to play to the best of their ability. Be consistent. Proactively prevent offenses. – Use verbal and non-verbal means of communication. – Identify potential flash points and deal with them effectively. – Attempt to resolve problems w/o continually penalizing for the same offense. – Manage persistent infringements effectively; apply appropriate sanctions. Reward Positive Rugby

Sources IRB Laws of the Game Rugby Union, 2010 IRB Ruling #1:2010, dated March 10, Rugby Refereeing in Practice, a guide for rugby referees – by David Fryer Game Management Guidelines, 2010 USA Rugby Referee Grading Manual, version 3.2, December