Tackling Technique, Injury Risk, and Playing Performance in High-Performance Collision Sport Athletes

Abstract

This study investigated the tackling technique of high-performance, collision-sport athletes and documented the relationships between tackling technique and playing experience, playing level, game-specific tackling performance, and injury in these athletes. Twenty-two national rugby league (NRL) and 17 state-based rugby league (SRL) players underwent a standardized one-on-one tackling drill in a 10 m grid. Video footage was taken from the rear, side, and front of the defending player. Tackling technique was assessed using standardized technical criteria. A large difference (ES = 1.53, p <0.05) was detected between playing groups for tackling technique, with NRL players having better tackling technique than SRL players. Players who had at least 150 NRL matches experience had a significantly greater (ES = 1.1–1.6, p <0.05) tackling technique than players who had played up to 49 NRL matches, 50–99 NRL matches, or 100–149 NRL matches. Significant relationships (p <0.05) were detected between tackling technique and the proportion of tackles missed each game (r = −0.74) and the proportion of dominant tackles effected each game (r = 0.78). There was no relationship between tackling technique and the incidence of tackling injuries. The results of this study demonstrate that playing level and playing experience influence tackling technique in high-performance, collision sport athletes, with greater playing experience and playing level associated with greater tackling technique. Furthermore, significant relationships were detected between tackling technique and the proportion of tackles missed each game (negative) and the proportion of dominant tackles effected each game (positive). Identifying the factors that limit tackling proficiency may assist playing performance, but may have minimal effect on injury prevention in high-performance, collision-sport athletes.

Relative importance of physiological, anthropometric, and skill qualities to team selection in professional rugby league

“…Playing experience has previously been shown to be a significant predictor of playing performance and success in senior rugby league players (Gabbett & Ryan, 2009), and suggested to be a critical variable determining selection into sub-elite first-grade rugby league teams (Gabbett, 2002a;2009;Gabbett, Kelly et al, 2007). It has also been shown that players with 150 matches or greater National Rugby League experience had superior tackling technique to players with less than 150 matches National Rugby League experience (Gabbett & Ryan, 2009), providing further support that sporting expertise develops, at least in part, as a result of accumulated playing experience.…”

“…Gabbett, Kelly, and Pezet (2007) investigated the fitness and skill levels of 86 sub-elite (amateur) rugby league players and demonstrated that skill, but not physical qualities, discriminated successful (i.e., subelite first grade) from less successful (i.e., sub-elite second and third grade) players. In a subsequent study, significant differences were reported between professional and semi-professional (Gabbett & Ryan, 2009) and high-skilled and lesser-skilled junior (Gabbett, Jenkins, & Abernethy, 2010) rugby league players on a standardised assessment of tackling proficiency. It was also shown that a dual-task assessment of draw and pass ability (i.e., performance of the skill coupled with a secondary tone recognition task) discriminated higher and lesser-skilled junior rugby league players, when performance of the draw and pass assessment in isolation did not (Gabbett, Wake, & Abernethy, 2011).…”

“…Tackling proficiency was assessed by a sport scientist using standardised technical criteria. The technical criteria were developed by two expert coaches who also used these criteria as cues when coaching tackling technique in rugby league players (Gabbett & Ryan, 2009). …”

Physiological and Anthropometric Correlates of Tackling Ability in Junior Elite and Subelite Rugby League Players

“…Success in rugby league is dependent, at least in part, on tackling ability, the capacity to tolerate physical collisions, and the ability to ÔwinÕ the tackle contest (8,19). Despite the fundamental importance of tackling in rugby league, very little is known about the tackle contest (8,19).…”

“…Despite the fundamental importance of tackling in rugby league, very little is known about the tackle contest (8,19). Furthermore, there are limited published data on the physical (i.e., physiological and anthropometric) factors that contribute to, or limit, tackling ability in rugby league players (20).…”