Tackle technique of rugby union players during head impact tackles compared to injury free tackles

Abstract

ObjectivesThe majority of head injuries in rugby union occur during tackles in which the head receives an impact. Head impacted tackles may be a result of poor tackle technique. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to analyse ball-carrier and tackler technique proficiency in head impacted tackles and compare the technique proficiency to successfully completed tackles in real-match situations. DesignRetrospective video analysis. MethodsVideo footage of head impacts with the ‘head impacted player’ (n=157) and the opposing player ‘impacting player’ (n=156) were scored for contact technique using a list of technical criteria and compared to contact technique scores of role and tackle-type matched injury-free, successful tackles (n=170). ResultsBall-carriers contacting their head during front-on head impacted tackles (mean 6.4, 95%CI 5.6–7.1 AU, out of a total score of 14) scored significantly less than the ‘impacting player’ (mean 8.1, 95%CI 7.1–9.1 AU, p<0.01, ES=0.5, small) and successful ball-carriers (successful ball-carrier mean 9.4, 95%CI 8.9–9.9 AU, p<0.0001, ES=1.1, moderate). Tackler contact proficiency scores during successful front-on tackles (mean 12.3, 95%CI 11.6–12.9 AU, out of a total score of 16) were significantly greater than tackler contact proficiency scores for the ‘head impacted player’ (mean 9.8, 95%CI 8.6–10.9, p<0.001, ES=0.8, moderate) and ‘impacting player’ (mean 9.3, 95%CI 8.4–10.1, p<0.0001, ES=1.0, moderate). ConclusionsBoth the ball-carrier and tackler have a technical deficiency when there is a head impact in matches. The implication of this finding is that players and coaches need to acknowledge that both the ball-carrier and tackler are responsible for each other’s safety during the tackle.