Lowered tackle height law variation in Scottish men's community rugby: a video analysis evaluation of 18 702 tackles across two seasons.

ABSTRACT:

Background/objectives

The tackle has the highest risk and causes the most concussions in rugby union. As such, law variation prevention strategies aiming to reduce head contact have been introduced. This study investigated whether a law variation lowering the maximum legal height of the tackle, from the shoulder to the base of the sternum, was an effective approach to change players' tackling behaviour and reduce head contact events in Scottish men's community rugby.

Methods

This retrospective video analysis study compared game metrics and tackle characteristics from the pre (2022/2023) to lowered tackle height (LTH) season (2023/2024). Sixty games were analysed (30 each season), variables coded for the tackle event included tackle type, body position, contact point and head

SUBMITTER: Gornall H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12004477 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature