World Rugby is set to launch a game-changing tackle education programme aimed at reducing the risk of injury through the promotion of best-practice technique.
Previewed at the Laws and Player Welfare symposium in Paris in March, the Tackle Ready programme will slot into the international federation’s portfolio of online and face-to-face training and education courses and resources under the Rugby Ready programme, available via www.rugbyready.worldrugby.org
Once launched later this year, Tackle Ready will give coaches at all levels a five-stage framework around which to coach the tackle, broken down into the following categories: tracking, preparation, connection, acceleration and finish.
The content will be adapted to create a simpler version at age-group level, before adding more complex layers moving up towards the professional game.
Importantly, with research demonstrating that a bent at the waist tackle is 4.5 times safer than an upright, face-to-face tackle, Tackle Ready will have a significant injury-prevention benefit.
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World Rugby Head of Technical Services Mark Harrington said: “Tackle Ready will be available as an online resource in multiple languages complimented with a face-to-face course delivered by our Licenced global educator network. When combined with the Activate warm-up programme, which statistically reduces concussion risk by up to 60 per cent, it could prove to be a game-changer for the sport.”
The programme is the latest initiative launched at a time when players of all ages and abilities, their parents and coaches are receptive and have the capacity to upskill in their approach to training, preparation and playing.
World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said: “Tackle Ready will revolutionise coaching of the tackle from the grassroots right up to the elite level by focusing on the technical key factors in five stages of the tackle. This should help players to execute safer and more effective tackles and coaches to be more specific in their coaching approach.
“I believe that this is an aspect of the game that is missing. Not enough time is spent on tackle technique. Children are influenced by what they see on television so achieving buy-in from top players, coaches and teams is important.
“World Rugby is unwavering in its commitment to reducing the risk of injury at all levels, and we have been successful in reducing concussion levels through strong on-field law and medical management approaches.”
LIST | The three temporary law changes we could see when rugby returns
Discussions about the Gallagher Premiership’s return are ongoing, but it seems likely that in the short-term changes will have to be made to get rugby going again.
With nine rounds of regular matches left to play, RUCK.co.uk understands that Premiership Rugby is working towards a July start date, which doesn’t give players much time to prepare.
Here are three possible law changes we could see temporarily moving forward.
1. Shortened halves
There hasn’t been much discussion about this possible law change, but with the majority of players currently some distance off adequate match fitness, it could be a practical one in the immediate future.
Shortening halves from 40 to 30 minutes would give the games a better opportunity of being high-quality, entertaining spectacles and at the same time would protect player safety. It would make complete sense.