Tackle and ruck technical proficiency in rugby union and rugby league: A systematic scoping review

Hollander, Steve den; Ponce, Chanda; Lambert, Michael; Jones, Ben; Hendricks, Sharief

doi:10.1177/1747954120976943

Cited by 23 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 67 publications

(65 reference statements)

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“…The present study explored mechanisms of head injury risk during tackles for various tackler and ball carrier body positions and head proximities. It must also be considered that tackle proficiency is a crucial determinant of head injury risk, as has been previously documented [ 32 – 34 ]. Within each of the higher risk scenarios we describe here (upright tacklers, heads in proximity with one another), there may be technical elements of tackle execution, described in that research, that mitigate or increase the risk we describe, and interventions targeting reductions in head injury risk should seek to combine the findings of the present study with coaching interventions, led by such research, to address all head injury risk factors.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Case–Control Study of Tackle-Based Head Injury Assessment (HIA) Risk Factors in the National Rugby League

2021

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Background The tackle is the in-game activity carrying the greatest risk for concussion in rugby. A recent evaluation of tackle characteristics in rugby union precipitated a rule modification to reduce head impact risk during tackles. This study aims to replicate the work conducted in rugby union by examining the association between tackle characteristics and head injury events in professional rugby league. Methods There were 446 tackles resulting in a head injury assessment (HIA) and 5,694 tackles that did not result in a head injury from two National Rugby League (NRL) seasons that were reviewed and coded. Tackle height, body position of players, and contact area on an opponent’s body were evaluated, with the propensity of each situation to cause an HIA calculated as HIAs per 1000 events. Results The propensity for tacklers to sustain a head injury was 0.99 HIAs per 1000 tackles, 1.74-fold greater than for the ball carrier (0.57 HIAs per 1000 tackles). There was a 3.2-fold higher risk for an HIA when the tackler was upright compared to bent-at-the-waist. The greatest risk of a tackler HIA occurred when head contact was very low (knee, boot) or high (head and elbow). HIAs were most common following head-to-head impacts. The lowest propensity for tackler HIA was found when the tackler’s head was in proximity with the ball carrier’s torso. Conclusions The result of this study replicated the findings in professional rugby union. This has implications for the injury prevention initiatives implemented to reduce HIA risk because the majority of injuries are sustained by the tackler.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Case–Control Study of Tackle-Based Head Injury Assessment (HIA) Risk Factors in the National Rugby League

2021

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“…24 25 However, these demands differ significantly in volume, intensity and type (eg, rucks, mauls unique to rugby union), though the tackle is somewhat similar across codes. [24][25][26] The tackle is the most injurious event in a rugby match 27 and poses a risk of musculoskeletal and neurological injuries for both the ball carrier and the tackler. 28 29 In addition to the physical demands of rugby, depending on playing level, players undertake other rugby (eg, media, contract negotiation) and non-rugby (eg, work outside of rugby, socialising) activities, which contribute to the overall psychological load players' experience.…”

Section: What This Study Addsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The collision demands (eg, the tackle) are similar across codes, with players involved in multiple collision events throughout a match 24 25. However, these demands differ significantly in volume, intensity and type (eg, rucks, mauls unique to rugby union), though the tackle is somewhat similar across codes 24–26. The tackle is the most injurious event in a rugby match27 and poses a risk of musculoskeletal and neurological injuries for both the ball carrier and the tackler 28 29…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Contributors to negative biopsychosocial health or performance outcomes in rugby players (CoNBO): a systematic review and Delphi study protocol

McCormack

Till

Wenlock

et al. 2022

BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med

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The importance of contributors that can result in negative player outcomes in sport and the feasibility and barriers to modifying these to optimise player health and well-being have yet to be established. Within rugby codes (rugby league, rugby union and rugby sevens), within male and female cohorts across playing levels (full-time senior, part-time senior, age grade), this project aims to develop a consensus on contributors to negative biopsychosocial outcomes in rugby players (known as the CoNBO study) and establish stakeholder perceived importance of the identified contributors and barriers to their management. This project will consist of three parts; part 1: a systematic review, part 2: a three-round expert Delphi study and part 3: stakeholder rating of feasibility and barriers to management. Within part 1, systematic searches of electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, MEDLINE, SPORTDiscus, CINAHL) will be performed. The systematic review protocol is registered with PROSPERO. Studies will be searched to identify physical, psychological and/or social factors resulting in negative player outcomes in rugby. Part 2 will consist of a three-round expert Delphi consensus study to establish additional physical, psychological and/or social factors that result in negative player outcomes in rugby and their importance. In part 3, stakeholders (eg, coaches, chief executive officers and players) will provide perceptions of the feasibility and barriers to modifying the identified factors within their setting. On completion, several manuscripts will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals. The findings of this project have worldwide relevance for stakeholders in the rugby codes.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42022346751.

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“…[7][8][9][10][11] In professional rugby union, approximately 25-30% of head injuries and concussion in the tackle occur to the ball carrier. 11 To date, the focus of tackle technique research in the rugby codes has been directed toward technical proficiency in relation to injury prevention and/or performance, 12 and has primarily employed a qualitative two-dimensional (2D) video approach. 13 2D video analysis of real game situations provides critical insight on how injuries occur during the tackle and how tackle performance can be optimised.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…5 The overall risk of a head injury is 4.3-fold greater when the tackler makes contact above the sternum of the ball carrier, even when legal. 5 Technique has also been identified as a risk factor for injury, 12 including head injury, 17 to the ball carrier. Head injury risk is reduced when the position of the ball carrier is bent at the waist position as opposed to an upright position at contact, 5,18 straight back posture, leg drive upon contact, 18 and explosiveness on contact.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Three-dimensional mechanics of the rugby tackle, does the ball carrier alter their movement into contact in response to the tackler’s position?

Edwards

Tahu

Buchanan

et al. 2021

International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching

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In rugby league and rugby union, the ball carrier is vulnerable to injury during a tackle. The height of the tackle has been associated with injury risk. The extent to which a ball carrier may alter their approach entering a tackle in response the tackler’s body height is unknown. This exploratory study aimed to identify if, when and how, the ball carrier modified their motion when being tackled in response to tackling instructions given to the tackler. Three-dimensional analysis was completed on 15 adult male rugby union/league players performing a front-on, one-on-one tackle at differing tackle heights. Repeated measure factorial analyses of variance were used to test for differences (P < 0.05). The ball carrier used two movement strategies: (1) increasing their stability by flexing their trunk, knee, and hips more when entering mid/high torso tackles; (2) offloading the ball or performing an evasive movement strategy by positioning themselves in a more upright body position when being tackled at a lower torso tackle height. This preliminary evidence suggests it may be beneficial for a coach to provide different instructions to the ball carrier to modify their movement strategies when being tackled in response to the height of the tackler to improve their performance and decrease their potential injury risk.

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Tackle and ruck technical proficiency in rugby union and rugby league: A systematic scoping review

Cited by 23 publications

References 67 publications

A Case–Control Study of Tackle-Based Head Injury Assessment (HIA) Risk Factors in the National Rugby League

A Case–Control Study of Tackle-Based Head Injury Assessment (HIA) Risk Factors in the National Rugby League

Contributors to negative biopsychosocial health or performance outcomes in rugby players (CoNBO): a systematic review and Delphi study protocol

Three-dimensional mechanics of the rugby tackle, does the ball carrier alter their movement into contact in response to the tackler’s position?

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