Tackling Technique Research Articles

Fabrication and Characterization of Environmentally Friendly Biochar Anode

Electrical power generation by means of electrochemical systems utilizing wastewaters is a global energy challenge tackling technique for which a creation of novel eco-friendly electrode materials is in high relevance. For this purpose a Rhodophyta algae derived activated biochar anode bound with a flaxseeds mucilage binder (5, 10, 20, 30 wt.%) was formed and characterized by thermogravimetric, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis as well as conductivity and mechanical resistance determination. Activation technique with KOH prior to carbonization at 800 °C of algae was employed to obtain biocarbon with a large surface area. The highest specific surface area of 1298.49 m2/g was obtained with the binder-free sample and had a tendency to decrease with the increase of the binder content. It was estimated that biochar anodes are thermally stable at the temperature of up to 200 °C regardless of binder concentration. The concentration of the binder on the other hand had a significant influence in anodes mechanical resistance and electrical conductance: anode with 30 wt.% of the binder had the highest compressive strength equal to 104 bar; however, the highest conductivity was estimated in anode with 5 wt.% of the binder equal to 58 S/m. It is concluded that anode with 10 wt.% mucilage binder has the optimal properties necessary in MFC utilization.

Operative Treatment of Cervical Spine Injuries Sustained in Youth Sports.

Little data exists on surgical outcomes of sports-related cervical spine injuries (CSI) sustained in children and adolescent athletes. This study reviewed demographics, injury characteristics, management, and operative outcomes of severe CSI encountered in youth sports. Children below 18 years with operative sports-related CSI at a Level 1 pediatric trauma center were reviewed (2004 to 2019). All patients underwent morden cervical spine instrumentation and fusion. Clinical, radiographic, and surgical characteristics were analyzed. A total of 3231 patients (mean, 11.3±4.6 y) with neck pain were evaluated for CSI. Sports/recreational activities were the most common etiology in 1358 cases (42.0%). Twenty-nine patients (2.1%) with sports-related CSI (mean age, 14.5 y; range, 6.4 to 17.8 y) required surgical intervention. Twenty-five were males (86%). Operative CSI occurred in football (n=8), wrestling (n=7), gymnastics (n=5), diving (n=4), trampoline (n=2), hockey (n=1), snowboarding (n=1), and biking (n=1). Mechanisms were 27 hyperflexion/axial loading (93%) and 2 hyperextension injuries (7%). Most were cervical fractures (79%) and subaxial injuries (79%). Seven patients (24%) sustained spinal cord injury (SCI) and 3 patients (10%) cord contusion or myelomalacia without neurological deficits. The risk of SCI increased with age (P=0.03). Postoperatively, 2 SCI patients (29%) improved 1 American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale Grade and 1 (14%) improved 2 American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale Grades. Increased complications developed in SCI than non-SCI cases (mean, 2.0 vs. 0.1 complications; P=0.02). Bony fusion occurred in 26/28 patients (93%) after a median of 7.2 months (interquartile range, 6 to 15 mo). Ten patients (34%) returned to their baseline sport and 9 (31%) to lower-level activities. The incidence of sports-related CSI requiring surgery is low with differences in age/sex, sport, and injury patterns. Older males with hyperflexion/axial loading injuries in contact sports were at greatest risk of SCI, complications, and permanent disability. Prevention campaigns, education on proper tackling techniques, and neck strength training are required in sports at high risk of hyperflexion/axial loading injury. Level III-retrospective cohort study.

Can prior instruction successfully alter the tackle type executed by a player?

The tackle is the in-game activity with the greatest risk for injury in collision sports. Qualitative match analysis has associated injury risk with tackle technique (e.g. tackle height, head position before contact). This exploratory study used gold-standard three-dimensional (3D) motion capture to investigate whether prior instructions to a tackler to execute different torso tackle types altered their tackle technique. Fifteen amateur-level rugby code players performed four sets of 10 tackle trials after instructions from an expert coach: two Australian National Rugby League (NRL) coaching manual instructions on upper and lower torso tackle height (UpperNRL, LowerNRL); and two novel variants that altered the tackler’s contact with the ball carrier’s upper torso ( UpperPop) via a vertical ‘pop action’, or mid-torso ( MidTorso) via increasing the contact height to the mid-torso. 3 D motion capture confirmed a favourable ‘head up and forward’ gaze focus on ball carrier before contact and a ‘straight back’ posture was more evident in UpperPop instruction than other instructions, with the least flexion for the head, trunk, trunk-pelvis, thoracolumbar and lumbopelvic (p < 0.01). MidTorso also attained a more optimal ‘head up and forward’ and a ‘straight back’ posture than a LowerNRL (p < 0.001). ‘Leg drive on contact’ revealed ankle, hip (p < 0.01) and thigh angles (p < 0.05) differences, likely to reflect the UpperPop ‘pop action’ instruction than other instructions. For coaches, this study demonstrated that amateur-level rugby-code players could follow instruction from an expert coach to execute tackling techniques within a session. Inclusion of tackle specific coaching instruction training program may be a viable injury reduction strategy.

Tackle technique knowledge alone does not translate to proper tackle technique execution in training

ObjectivesEffective tackle technique is associated with reduced injury risks and improved performance in contact. Injury prevention programmes aim to provide players with knowledge of effective technique. However, little is known...

Case study: A qualitative study aimed at comparing standard therapy in a breast cancer patient to the spiritual healing and psychological support, in improving patient’s compliance

Background: Breast tumor is the most well-known type of cancerous growth in ladies of Pakistan. The effect of theunderlying diagnosis, treatment conventions, chemotherapeutic agents in contrast with culture, social and psychological parts of the ailment is not settled. Method: This subjective review analyzed and contrasted thestandard treatment conventions and the Spiritual Healing including psychological support utilized by patient withbreast cancer in connection to its effect on the enhanced quality of her life and her enhanced wellbeing status. MrsFouzia Mohsin a patient with bosom malignancy persistent, mother of 6 youngsters having an age of 53 years and 5months from Faisalabad experiencing chemotherapy from Shifa International Hospital Islamabad and also SpiritualHealing and mental support was met. Information were dissected utilizing topical examination. The patient'sunderstanding of bosom disease concentrated on the conviction of suitability of medication treatment picked by herphysician and in addition the positive mental impact of Spiritual recuperating alongside the scope of feelings felt allthrough her ailment. Results: The significance of spiritual healing and mental support of the family along withbreast cancer tackling techniques i.e chemotherapy, radiotherapy and mastectomy is far excessively helpful andsteady in method for upgrading consistence to treatment and accordingly enhanced personal satisfaction. This is the principal study to look into the case of lady experiencing breast cancer on the experiencing chemotherapy andSpiritual Healing. This article gives illumination of the voiced encounters of a woman with breast tumor. The information not just highlights the part of standard chemotherapy and radiotherapy as fundamental adaptingmethodologies additionally underlines the adapting of issues like disengagement, hostility, and outrage as regularreactions to chemotherapy through Spiritual Healing and Psychological support of the family. Conclusion: One of akind elements are bosom malignancy patient's have to look for Spiritual Healing and Support of family for hersickness to remain spurred and increment in her consistence. These social elements require advance examination and research.

Theoretical Research on Football Tackle Technique

Tackle is one of the more difficult techniques in football technology to learn, and it has a wide range of applications in high-level football players. This article analyzes the principle, classification, and usage scenarios of tackles through literature method, interview method, and case analysis, and draws the following conclusions: 1. The tackle technique is a sequential and sporty open skill, which is unstable. Sex, complexity and difficulty. 2. The number of tackles and the success rate are the highest in the backcourt, followed by midfields and the lowest in the frontcourt. The reason is that tackles are mostly defensive tackles in the game, and the backcourt is the area where defensive tasks are the most important. 3. It is reasonable to classify the offensive and defensive attributes of tackles by area.

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

The aim of this review was to consolidate and synthesise rugby union (RU) and rugby league (RL) studies on tackle and RU studies on ruck technique for rugby stakeholders. Forty-nine studies were identified (20 in RL and 29 in RU). RL studies primarily focussed on identifying factors that impact tackling ability. Leaner, fitter players, with greater lower body strength, tended to have more proficient tackle technique. Experience and level of play were positively associated with tackling ability. These findings highlight the importance of developing tackle technique and physical qualities to allow players to progress to higher levels. Research in RU mostly focussed on identifying tackle and ruck techniques associated with performance measures and injury outcomes. Eleven tackle techniques and five ball-carrier techniques were associated with both performance measures and injury outcomes. These findings support national injury prevention programmes that advocate that safe contact technique is also effective technique. (152 words)

A Qualitative Study of Youth Football Coaches' Perception of Concussion Safety in American Youth Football and Their Experiences With Implementing Tackling Interventions.

Due in part to concern about the potential long-term effects of concussion and repetitive head injuries in football, some programs have implemented tackling interventions. This paper explores youth football coaches' perception of football safety and their experiences implementing these interventions aimed at athlete safety. Using a qualitative approach, coaches were interviewed by means of a semi-structured protocol that covered: (a) demographics; (b) background and experiences; (c) personal relevance risks, safety, and benefits of youth football; (d) experiences with tackling technique; (e) experiences with mouth guard sensors; and (f) opinions on disseminating information on football safety. Most coaches felt that learning tackling at a young age helped prepare them for their playing later in life and believed that youth should begin playing tackle football at a young age. Coaches were mixed regarding their concerns about the risk for concussion and subconcussive head impacts. Still, most were receptive to changes in rules and policies aimed at making football safer. Findings from this study demonstrate that youth football coaches are important stakeholders to consider when implementing changes to youth football. Understanding coach perceptions and experiences may inform future efforts aimed to educate coaches on rules and policies to make the game safer for youth athletes.

Characterization of the Biomechanical and Situational Aspects of High Magnitude Subconcussive Impacts in Collegiate Football

The objective of this study was to characterize high magnitude subconcussive impacts in football to identify injurious relationships between player/game-based characteristics and impact magnitude and frequency. Subconcussive impacts are asymptomatic head impacts thought to induce alterations in the brain after repetitive exposure. Understanding factors that lead to higher magnitude or frequency of head impacts in football is crucial to develop harm reduction and prevention strategies. Eighty-one male university level football players were equipped with helmet accelerometers to capture linear acceleration (LA), impact frequency and helmet impact location. Impacts with LA = 60 g were included in the analysis. Video footage from 15 games over three seasons was analyzed to characterize aspects of play including play type, position, closing distance, player technique, tackling versus blocking and impact type (helmet-to-helmet/body/ground). A total of 570 impacts were included in the analysis with a mean LA of 83.44 g ± 23.60. Impacts with a closing distance of = 10 yards resulted in higher LA compared to <10 yards and occurred most frequently in run plays. Wide receivers and defensive backs were most often involved in impacts with a larger closing distance and experienced the highest average LA behind quarterbacks. Helmet-to-body impacts generated significantly higher LA compared to helmet-to-helmet, though helmet-to-helmet occurred more often. Players involved in a tackle sustained significantly higher LAs than those involved in a block. Impacts in which players exhibited poor technique lead to higher LA and occurred more frequently in tackling versus blocking impacts. The results of this work suggest that rules regarding offensive backfield running starts could be adjusted to decrease risk of impact after a larger closing distance. Behavioral modifications and coaching approaches aimed at improving tackling technique could decrease exposure to threshold impacts at the level of the individual player.

American football is the youth sporting activity most commonly associated with acute vertebral fractures

ABSTRACT Objectives Athletics confer cardiovascular fitness and improved cognitive processing in pediatric populations. However, one risk of sports participation is acute vertebral fracture, an injury with significant morbidity. It is currently unknown which sports represent the highest risk of acute vertebral fracture in pediatric populations. This study seeks to identify the youth sporting activities most commonly associated with acute vertebral fractures presenting to United States (U.S.) emergency departments (EDs). Methods This cross-sectional, retrospective study queries the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System database to report national weighted estimates and demographic characteristics of pediatric patients with acute vertebral fractures presenting to U.S. EDs. Results The mean annual incidence of estimated acute vertebral fractures over the study period was 1,672 (C.I. 1,217–2,126). From 2000–2001 (N = 4,030; C.I. 2,934–5,125) to 2016–2017 (N = 2,559; C.I. 1,681–3,438), there was no significant change in the estimated rate of sports-related acute vertebral fractures in pediatric patients (p = 0.09). American football was identified as the sport most frequently associated with acute vertebral fractures (23.4%; C.I. 17.6–29.3%). We found no appreciable change in the rate of football-related acute vertebral fractures over time, with 48.2% (C.I. 37.3–59.0%) occurring from 2000 to 2008 and 51.8% (C.I. 41.0–62.7%) from 2009 to 2017. Conclusions While sports-related acute vertebral fractures remain rare injuries in pediatric populations, we identify youth football as the sport associated with the highest risk of such injuries. Despite decreasing football participation rates over our study period, the annual incidence of football-associated acute vertebral fractures has not exhibited a proportional decline. Our findings raise concern that the relative risk of acute vertebral fracture associated with youth football has not significantly decreased over time. Elimination of dangerous tackling technique, improvement in helmet fit and technology, and availability of on-site medical care may contribute to decreased estimates in the future.

104. At-risk tackling techniques in American football

BACKGROUND CONTEXT In American football, fewer fatalities and severe injuries have been seen annually since 1976, when rules were enacted to prohibit certain types of aggressive tackling. The National Football Head and Neck Injury Registry was established in 1975 and data from 1971-1975 were retrospectively reviewed to better understand the mechanisms involved in catastrophic cervical spine injury. PURPOSE This study was an assessment of (1) tackling techniques coaches were teaching at 3 levels: youth (4th–5th grades), middle (6th–8th grades), and high school (9th–12th grades); (2) tackling techniques used during games; and (3) successful tackle rates of these techniques. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING Descriptive epidemiology study. PATIENT SAMPLE Not applicable. OUTCOME MEASURES Not applicable. METHODS This study received IRB approval. Surveys were distributed via email to 500 coaches of football teams in Texas. Coaches provided video recordings of football games with players from youth league (YL), middle school (MS), and high school (HS). All tackle attempts were graded by one reviewer who watched game videos; 1000 consecutive tackles were observed for each group. Survey data included how coaches instructed their players to tackle, the types of tackles, the number of tackles vs missed tackles, the head position, and the initial contact. Data were analyzed using the chi-square test. A subset of 100 consecutive tackles at each level of play were reviewed by two blinded reviewers to assess intra- and interrater reliabilities using Cohen's Kappa calculations. RESULTS (1) In all groups, coaches instructed players to use the “head across the bow” tackling technique: 83%, YL; 81%, MS; 75%, HS. Coaches instructed players to “keep your head up” 89%, in the YL; 100%, MS; and 81%, in HS. (2, 3) During games, players used head-up, inside shoulder tackles more successfully across all groups: 97.5%, YL; 99.5%, MS; 98.8%, HS. While intra- and interrater reliabilities were in the good reliability range, these scores were lower in the youth group. CONCLUSIONS Our study supports the effectiveness of tackling with the head up and with making the initial contact with the inside shoulder. Lower reliability ratings for the youth group were likely due to lower video quality and lack of players’ tackling experience. FDA DEVICE/DRUG STATUS This abstract does not discuss or include any applicable devices or drugs.

Is Youth Football Safe? An Analysis of Youth Football Head Impact Data.

The issue of whether sports-related head trauma at the youth level can result in long-term sequelae that may negatively impact the participant has been widely debated. To investigate head impacts in the Summit Youth Football League equipped with helmets using the Riddell InSite impact monitoring system. The monitoring system allowed for analysis of the number of impacts and severity of impacts by player. Data were obtained for all 20 members of the youth football team. Impacts were recorded as "low," "medium," and "high" intensity. All 20 players participated in all practices and games throughout the season. No player suffered a concussion throughout the entire season. There were 817 recorded impacts throughout the season. This was an average of 41 impacts per player over the course of the season and fewer than 4 impacts per player per week. Only one impact registered as "high." We demonstrate that there are few head impacts over the course of an entire season at the middle school level. Guardian Caps, safe tackling techniques, and the age of participants may have contributed to the very low number of impacts recorded and the complete lack of injuries. This study only provides data demonstrating that youth football, when Guardian Caps and safe tackling techniques are enforced, does not appear to result in significant head impacts causing immediate head injuries. This study cannot comment on the safety of playing football at the collegiate or professional level.

The Prevalence and Management of Stingers in College and Professional Collision Athletes.

Particularly common in collision sports such as American football or rugby, stingers are a traumatic transient neuropraxia of a cervical nerve root(s) or brachial plexus that may last anywhere from minutes to hours. This review summarizes the knowledge on the diagnosis and management of stingers in college and professional collision athletes by providing an overview of their epidemiology and pathophysiology, followed by a discussion on current treatment guidelines and return-to-play recommendations. Despite modifications to tackling technique, increasing awareness, and various equipment options, American football continues to have a high rate of cervical spine injuries, the majority of which occur in preseason and regular season competition settings. The incidence of stingers has slowly increased among collision athletes, and nearly half of all players report sustaining at least one stinger in their career. Recent studies have shown certain anatomical changes in the cervical spine are related to acute and reoccurring stingers. Most players who experience stingers do not miss practices or games. Despite their prevalence, literature highlighting the impact of stingers on college and professional collision athletes is limited. Advances in imaging modalities and novel radiographic parameters have provided tools for screening athletes and can guide return-to-play decisions. Future research regarding appropriate screening practices for athletes with reoccurring stingers, use of protective equipment, and rehabilitation strategies are needed to identify predisposing factors, mitigate the risk of injury, and restore full functional strength and ability.

Measuring Safe Tackle Technique In American Youth Football: Preliminary Validation Of The Standard Assessment Of Tackle Technique Rubric

2.8 million Youth participate in full contact football. Young players could be exposed to more than 450 head impacts per season. One out of every thirty-three youth players may suffer a concussion each season. Tackling is a complex, reactive, psychomotor skill that carries potentially lifelong, catastrophic consequences if preformed incorrectly. Proper technique at an early age is essential. Our aim is to establish reliability for the Standard Assessment of Tackling Technique (SATT) a field-based, clinical assessment tool for measuring tackle proficiency. Fifteen, healthy middle school football players between age 10 and 14 were videotaped performing the Tackling Proficiency Assessment (TPA) over three separate sessions spaced seven days apart. Two raters independently scored videos using the SATT rubric. Cronbach’s alpha was 0.707. Intrarater reliability was moderate (ICC=0.57; 95% CI: 0.23-0.83) for rater 1 and good (ICC=0.79; 95% CI: 0.55-0.93) for rater 2. ICC values for sessions 1 and 2 were good, and moderate for session 3. SATT component 4-arm rip (ICC=0.40; 95% CI: 0.31-0.51) was the least reliable component while SATT component 5-leg drive (ICC=0.95; 95% CI: 0.92-0.97) was most reliable. Composite SATT scores had moderate to good intrarater reliability for both raters. Youth athletes should demonstrate their ability to perform a tackle safely, prior to participation in full contact play. Initial results show the SATT is a valid and reliable clinical assessment tool useful for evaluating basic tackle skill and identifying red flags like leading with the helmet or leaving their feet.

The effect of physical fatigue on tackling technique in Rugby Union

ObjectivesTo measure the change in tackling technique of rugby union players following an acute bout of physically fatiguing exercise. DesignRandomised cross-over study design with a physical fatigue condition and no-physical fatigue condition (control). MethodsNineteen male amateur club rugby union players (n=19) and a total of 887 tackles were analysed. During each condition, each player performed four sets of six tackles (three dominant and three non-dominant shoulder) on a contact simulator. Between each set of tackles in the physical fatigue condition, players performed the prolonged high-intensity intermittent running ability test. Using video, player's tackling proficiency for each tackle was measured by awarding either one point or zero points depending on whether a particular technique was performed or not. The sum of these points represents player’s tackling proficiency (score out of 9, measured in arbitrary units). ResultsIn the non-dominant shoulder, a difference between fatigue and control was found at set two (Fatigue 7.3 [7.1–7.6] AU vs. Control 7.6 [7.4–7.9] AU, p=0.06, ES=0.3 small) and set three (Fatigue 7.3 [7.0–7.5] AU vs. Control 7.7 [7.5–7.9] AU, p=0.006, ES=0.5 small). During the control condition, tackling proficiency scores improved from baseline for non-dominant tackles (Baseline 7.4 [7.2–7.6] AU, vs Set two 7.6 [7.4–7.9] AU, p=0.08 ES=0.3 small; vs Set three 7.7 [7.5–7.9] AU, p=0.05, ES=0.4 small). ConclusionsIn conclusion, this study shows that physical fatigue can potentially affect rugby union players’ tackling technique. Therefore, players should develop technical capacity to resist the effects of physical fatigue during the tackle.

Does tackling form affect head acceleration in youth football players?

To reduce head impact exposure, a number of youth football organizations have begun teaching tackling technique. This study sought to develop and utilize a set of tackling form grading criteria for both tacklers and ball carriers as well as to relate tackling form to head acceleration outcome. It was hypothesized that players exhibiting better form would experience lower head accelerations in individual tackles. Three teams consisting of 67 players (20, 29, and 18 players per team; age 12.7 ± 0.95, age range 11–14 years, body mass 55.1 ± 16.2 kg) were instrumented with helmet-mounted accelerometer arrays for one season. Videos of close-range tackling drills were used to develop tackling form criteria. Two raters used these criteria to each score 105 impacts. Six of the seven categories were found to have good inter-rater reliability metrics (total percent agreement ≥ 79%, agreement coefficient ≥ 0.65). Bending at both the hips and knees, leading with the shoulder or arm, and initiating contact were found to reduce risk of high-magnitude (&gt;40 g) head impacts in tacklers. Keeping the eyes up and avoiding dropping the head reduced the risk of high-magnitude head impacts in ball carriers. This study shows the potential effectiveness of training both tacklers and ball carriers in proper technique for collisions in youth football to minimize head impacts.

At-Risk Tackling Techniques in American Football.

Background:In American football, fewer fatalities and severe injuries have been seen annually since 1976, after data from 1971 through 1975 were retrospectively reviewed to better understand the mechanisms involved in catastrophic cervical spine injury and rules were enacted to prohibit certain types of aggressive tackling. The National Football Head and Neck Injury Registry was established in 1975.Purpose:To assess (1) tackling techniques that coaches were teaching at 3 levels—youth level (YL; 4th to 5th grades), middle school (MS; 6th to 8th grades), and high school (HS; 9th to 12th grades); (2) tackling techniques used during games; and (3) the successful tackle rates of these techniques.Study Design:Descriptive epidemiology study.Methods:Surveys were distributed via email to 500 coaches of YL, MS, and HS football teams in Texas. Coaches provided video recordings of football games, and all tackle attempts were graded by a single reviewer who watched game videos; 1000 consecutive tackles were observed for each group. Survey data included how coaches instructed their players to tackle, the types of tackles, the number of tackles versus missed tackles, the head position, and the initial contact. Data were analyzed with the chi-square test. A subset of 100 consecutive tackles at each level of play was reviewed by 2 blinded reviewers to assess intra- and interrater reliabilities.Results:In all groups, coaches responded that they preferred to teach the at-risk “head across the bow” tackling technique (83% YL, 81% MS, 75% HS). Coaches stated that they instructed players to “keep your head up,” as currently recommended, 89% in YL, 100% in MS, and 81% in HS. During games, players used head-up, inside-shoulder tackles more successfully across all groups (97.5% YL, 99.5% MS, 98.8% HS). While intra- and interrater reliabilities were in the good range, these scores were lower in the youth group.Conclusion:Our study supports the effectiveness of tackling with the head up and making the initial contact with the inside shoulder. Lower reliability ratings for the youth group were likely due to lower video quality and the lack of players’ tackling experience.

Characteristics and factors of concussion events for tacklers in collegiate rugby union.

The purpose of this study was to determine the factors related to the occurrence of concussion in rugby tacklers. Match video records showing tackles leading to concussion were used to identify injury-inciting events. Additionally, noninjury tackles by concussed tacklers (prior to concussion) and position-matched tacklers from the same matches were used as a control cohort. All tackles were coded according to the tackling characteristics. The odds ratio (OR) was reported by logistic regression. The results demonstrated that a side step of the ball-carrier reduced the risk of concussion for tacklers (OR=0.13 [95% CI, 0.03-0.58]; P=.008). Conversely, the tackler's head/neck contacting the ball-carrier (OR=18.62 [95% CI, 4.59-75.49]; P<.001) and not remaining bound to the ball-carrier since making initial contact (OR=4.38 [95% CI, 1.69-11.34]; P=.002) were identified as risk factors for the concussion of tacklers. These results suggest that avoidance movements of the ball-carrier prior to tackling reduced the risk of concussion and that incorrect tackling techniques contributed to an increased occurrence of concussion. Furthermore, the probability of concussion for tacklers increased when their head was in front or to one side of the ball-carrier, and the direction of the tackle also affected the risk of concussion, especially from the side. Therefore, it is important to emphasize the tackler's head position in conjunction with the direction of tackle.

Pectoralis major ruptures during rugby league tackling — Case series with implications for tackling technique instruction

ObjectivesDocument the mechanism and incidence of pectoralis major ruptures in a professional rugby league cohort, and compare to any existing data. DesignRetrospective case series. MethodsCase series which documents 3 such injuries incurred while effecting a tackle in 3 rugby league players from the same squad (of 36) in the same season. ResultsAt the initial point of contact, all three players were in a similar shoulder position of outer-range abduction and horizontal abduction and subsequently it appeared their pectoralis major was torn while attempting to effect the tackle. ConclusionsComplete tears of the pectoralis major muscle are rare but significant injuries often requiring surgical intervention to restore full function in collision sport athletes. In this same season, the organisation changed their defensive approach which may have contributed to these injuries. Each player was managed with acute surgical repair and returned to play at the same level. Suggestions are made to consider the possible training injury implications of changing tackle technique.

Tackle and ruck technique proficiency within academy and senior club rugby union

ABSTRACTThis study examined the validity of a tool that assesses tackle and ruck technique in training and established reference data for tackle, ball-carry and ruck technique at different levels of play in rugby union. One hundred and thirty-one amateur rugby union players; 37 senior, 51 first-grade academy and 43 second-grade academy players, participated in a two-on-two contact drill. The drill was filmed and the players’ tackle, ball-carry and ruck technique were assessed using standardized technical criteria. Senior level players scored significantly higher in all three assessments; tackle technique senior vs academy 1st (p < 0.01, effect size (ES) = 0.7, moderate), senior vs academy 2nd (p < 0.01, ES = 0.7, moderate); ball-carry technique senior vs academy 1st (p < 0.01, ES = 0.6, moderate), senior vs academy 2nd (p < 0.01, ES = 0.8, moderate); ruck technique senior vs academy 1st (p < 0.01, ES = 0.7, moderate), senior vs academy 2nd (p < 0.01, ES = 0.4, small). These findings emphasize the importance of developing contact technique to allow players to progress to higher levels, and provide validity to an assessment tool which can facilitate this process.