Rugby law 14: Tackle

Requirements of a tackle include:

• For a tackle to occur, the ball-carrier is held and brought to ground by one or more opponents.

• For a tackle to occur one the tackled player must have a waist on the ground.

• Being held means that a tackler must continue holding the ball-carrier until the ball-carrier is on the ground.

• Being brought to ground means that the ball-carrier is lying, sitting or has at least one knee on the ground or on another player who is on the ground.

Players in a tackle are: Tackled player. Tackler(s) and...

• Player(s) who hold the ball-carrier during a tackle but do not go to ground.

• Player(s) who have contact with the tacked player.

• Player(s) who arrive to contest possession in the tackle.

• Player(s) who are already on the ground.

Tacklers must:

• Immediately release the ball and the ball-carrier after both players go to ground.

• Immediately move away from the tackled player and from the ball or get up.

• Be on their feet before attempting to play the ball.

• Allow the tackled player to release or play the ball. Allow the tackled player to move away from the ball.

• Allow the tackled player to move away from the ball.

Tacklers may play the ball from the direction of their own goal line provided they have complied with the above responsibilities and:

• The tackler performs a jackal

• The tackler demonstrates clear release.

• The tackler rolls out horizontally first.

• a ruck has not formed.

Tackled players must immediately:

• Make the ball available so that play can continue by releasing, passing or pushing the ball in any direction except forward.

• They may place the ball in any direction. Move away from the ball or get up.

• Move horizontally away from the ball.

• Ensure that they do not lie on, over or near the ball to prevent opposition players from gaining possession of it.

What is wrong with this image?

• The tackled player has small forearms

• The jackal-ing player can not jackal during a ruck.

• The Jackal-ing player has recently trimmed his mullet.

• The tackled player must release the ball.

Other players must:

• Remain on their feet and release the ball and the ball-carrier immediately.

• Remain on their feet when they play the ball.

• Arrive at the tackle from the direction of their own goal line before playing the ball.

• Not play the ball or attempt to tackle an opponent while on the ground near the tackle.

• Roll horizontally to move away from the ball.

What is wrong with this?

• Playing the ball without being on your feet.

• Head and neck needs to better protected.

• The player in red has not rolled horizontally away from the ball.

• There is no ruck formed.

What is wrong with this?

• The mullets have grown out on the top too much.

• The tackler should be rolling horizontally away from the ball.

• The ball can not be played from the ground.

Any player who gains possession of the ball:

• Must play it immediately, by moving away, or by passing or kicking the ball.

• Must remain on their feet, and not go to ground at or near the tackle unless tackled by the opposition.

• Pass the ball directly.

• May be tackled, provided the tackler does so from the direction of their own goal line.