Tackle Height Law Changes – Message from Rugby Referees Union
Messages for Societies and Federations – Tackle Height
The RFU Council has now approved a Domestic Law Variation (DLV) which lowers the height of a fair tackle. The debate on the issue is now concluded and we must, as match officials, now take a full part in the implementation of the DLV which will come in to effect on 1st July 2023 for all but the professional levels of the Game.
The DLV is set out in full in the Guidance which accompanies this message. In introducing the DLV the RFU has recognised the importance of there being a full; clear; and common understanding of the DLV and its implications for players; coaches; and match officials. The Guidance aims to facilitate that. It has been prepared with a significant refereeing input, recognising that the correct and consistent application of the DLV by match officials will be essential to the safe and effective introduction of the DLV.
The Guidance will be helpful to all stakeholders in the Game in gaining an understanding of how the DLV is intended to work. It covers those aspects of the Game where the DLV will make a difference and it incorporates a number video clips which illustrate the messages which the words of the Guidance intend to convey.
The DLV comes in to effect on 1st July and there is therefore no time to lose in preparing for its implementation. The Guidance is a strong basis from which to start. That, and the great wealth of knowledge and the experience which you have of educating and developing match officials in your Society and Federation, should ensure that match officials are ready to implement the DLV with confidence and authority when practice matches start in August.
Significant changes in the Laws of the Game have challenged officiating before and we have, without exception, risen to the challenge. I am sure that we can, as a match officiating community, rise to the challenge which the DLV represents.
Finally, as a match officiating community there is, in the introduction of the DLV, an opportunity for us to work with the Clubs to help their players and coaches to understand the DLV and to prepare for its introduction. Working together, now, to form a common understanding will make for a smoother and more effective introduction when the Game starts in earnest.
On behalf of the Rugby Football Referees Union I wish you well in adapting to the DLV and in the coming season.
Dr Adam J White
Honorary Secretary
Rugby Football Referees Union
+44(0) 7375 640772 | RFRU.co.uk
RFU COUNCIL MEETING: 21 APRIL 2023
Agenda Item
Date
3.1 (a) & (b) – APPENDIX TWO
11th April, 2023
Title
Domestic Law Variations: Lowering the tackle height
Purpose of Paper
For Decision
☒
For Discussion
☐
For Information
☐
Author(s)
Dr Tim Miller
Brief Summary
Following an extensive consultation process, the paper makes a number of recommendations about how the reduction in the tackle previously approved by Council can be implemented.
Appendices
None
RFU Laws Sub-Committee
11th April, 2023
Domestic Law Variation: Lowering the tackle height implementation
Background
The Domestic Law Variations have been discussed and agreed by the Laws Sub-Committee and submitted to the Governance Standing Committee for their review. Governance approved the proposed variations with minor adjustments. The nomenclature has also been shaped through the thorough consultation exercise undertaken during March.
In mid-March, World Rugby’s (WR) Executive Board announced a recommendation to lower the tackle height to ‘below the sternum’ and encouraged Unions world-wide to participate in an opt-in global law trial in their respective community games. It also allowed each Union to determine the exact tackle height within their jurisdiction. Reduced tackle height trials are already employed in France and, most recently, New Zealand. We are also aware that Scotland, Wales and Ireland are considering similar changes to their community games. We are in dialogue with them.
RFU Consultation
After an initially poor communication to the Game which drew widespread criticism, the RFU (professional staff and Council Members) developed an extensive communication and consultation exercise which has now concluded. The aim of the consultation was not to change Council’s decision to lower the tackle height but to consult on how we might describe the tackle height, the ball carrier’s responsibilities and how this could be implemented across our Game. It might also inform how the law changes were constructed. Consultation comprised a national electronic survey, 25 Face-to-Face or virtual consultation meetings across the country and a number of forums with coaches, players and referees. All meetings and forums were recorded to extract as much feedback as possible.
The national survey provided valuable feedback on how the new tackle height is described. ‘Below the base of the sternum’ was the most preferred at 35%, with the ‘midriff’ at 29% of respondents. With introducing a lower tackle height, consideration has been given to the obligations of the ball-carrier engaging with an opponent, in particular, the height at which the do so. A significant number of respondents (45%) favoured ‘shoulder and head should be above the hips when carrying the ball into contact’. The consultation meetings produced a broadly similar result to those two questions.
To decide how best to frame the law changes, a task and finish group was created comprising LSC members, a senior coach and national referee officials. Consideration was given to which law would be the most appropriate to amend. Law 14 (the tackle) was considered but, on balance, law changes were best accommodated in Law 9 (foul play). An important principle in framing the amended law was to keep the changes to a minimum and as straightforward as possible, consistent with lowering the tackle height to below the base of the sternum. The RFU Head of Discipline was also consulted in relation to the DLV wording, in particular, in relation to the application of on-field sanctions and providing guidance to county disciplinary committees.
Proposed Domestic Law Variations – Clean copy
Definition:
Below the base of the sternum: This is the area of the tummy or belly and below. Law 9 Foul 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.
9.12. A player must not physically or verbally abuse anyone. Physical abuse includes, but is not limited to, biting, punching, contact with the eye or eye area, striking with any part of the arm, head, shoulder, forearm or knee(s), stamping, trampling, tripping or kicking.
9.13. A player must not tackle or attempt to tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously. Dangerous tackling includes, but is not limited to, tackling or attempting to tackle an opponent in open play above the base of the sternum even if the tackle starts below the base of the sternum.
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To support the ‘black letter’ law amendments, an application guide is currently being prepared. This will, for example, include clarification of what ‘significant’ means in the new Law 9.11 (b). This will be circulated to Council along with the law amendments at its 21st April meeting.
For Decision: Council is asked to approve the proposed Domestic Law Variations
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Law variations approved to lower tackle height in community Rugby Union in England
Following an RFU Council decision (in January) to lower the tackle height in community rugby to improve player safety by reducing the risk of head-on-head contact and concussion, the RFU has undertaken extensive consultation to listen to feedback on how to best define and implement the law variations.
The consultation heard a wide range of views and gathered thoughts and ideas from 8,500 people through an online open survey, the RFU also met with over 1000 people during 25 in-person and virtual forums across 13 locations and met 270 coaches, players, match officials, disciplinary officers, Club chairs and CBs, parents and teachers through 22 focus groups and online panels.
The open survey was independently analysed by the research company YouGov and this feedback was presented to the RFU Council who today (21 April) voted to adopt the law changes with the new tackle height level from 1 July being defined as below the base of the sternum.
To read more about the findings of the consultation and the law changes, please click the link below.
I would like to thank everyone who contributed to this consultation and to say thank you in advance to the wider rugby family who will be vital to ensuring we implement this change successfully. We along with many other Unions across the world are lowering the tackle height to reduce the risk of concussion. We know change is challenging however, it is imperative that we are guided by the science to help make the game safer for our players. As part of our ongoing injury surveillance studies, we will monitor the impact of this law variation and would encourage as many clubs as possible to sign up to participate in CRISP by contributing their data it will enable us to continue to monitor and introduce injury prevention strategies.
Nigel Gillingham,
RFU President