Tackling is a bit like the karaoke of Rugby: everyone thinks they know how to do it, but when it goes wrong, it's rarely a good sight. If it is the quintessence of oval sport, this gesture, as spectacular as it is potentially dangerous, requires perfect execution. But be careful, in rugby, Missing a tackle doesn't just mean an awkward moment between friends ; it can end with a referee handing you a nice colored card. So, let's dive head first (but not into the opponent's head, eh) into the world of tackles.
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Tackle, an art of living (and surviving)
In rugby, tackling is the lethal weapon. You miss it, your opponent runs towards the goal and you get looked at askance by your coach. From rugby school, you are taught to aim for the waist and slide down to the legs, a bit as if you were curtsying to your opponent. But with the arrival of professionalism in 1995, everything changed. Players have become war machinesand spaces on the ground, close combat zones.
To stop these modern bulldozers, the defenders found the solution: tackle high, just to immobilize the opponent and, in the process, block the ball. Great, right? Not really, because by tackling above the shoulders, you often come close to the limits of legality. And there, my friend, the referee enters the scene.
When does tackling become illegal?
Illegal tackling is a bit like a 2 a.m. text to your ex: it seems like a good idea at the time, but you quickly regret it. Here are the main types of tackles to avoid if you want to stay on the field:
- High tackle: Anything above the shoulder line. In other words, if your opponent ends up with his head thrown back like an 80s music video, you're off to a bad start.
- Shoulder loading: Are you rushing like a ram, without using your arms? Cardboard. In rugby, we hug before bumping into each other, as a matter of politeness.
- The cathedral tackle: Do you lift your opponent like a prima ballerina only to let him fall violently? Bravo for the figure, but direct red card.
- Contact to the head: Even accidental, touching your opponent's head is like trying to sing Celine Dion without warming up your voice: it always ends badly.
Sanctions: The rainbow of errors
The referee, like a teacher facing a dissipated student, has several options to sanction your deviations. And believe me, he won't hesitate to bring out his color palette:
- Penalty: A gentle warning. It’s a bit like a “Hey, that’s not good.”
- Yellow card: Hop, ten minutes on the bench thinking about your life choices.
- Red card: Head to the locker room. Goodbye third half, hello lonely shower.
Mitigating and aggravating factors
Ah, the mitigating factors, those excuses that save the day… sometimes. If you can prove that:
- The ball carrier ducked at the last moment like a ninja,
- Your field of vision was blocked (by a friend, a referee, or even a seagull),
- The contact with the head was indirect (unintentional slip, promise!),
…you could well escape the worst. But be careful, if you went there in bulldozer mode with supersonic speed and no intention of slowing down, even your grandmother won't be able to defend you.
Why is it so complicated for referees?
Judging a tackle is like judging a guitar solo: everything goes too fast, you have to capture all the details and everyone has an opinion (often to say you're wrong). The referee must analyze:
- The height of the gesture.
- The dynamics of contact.
- External circumstances.
And all this in a few seconds, under the cries of the supporters and the dark looks of the players. So, the next time you see a referee hesitating, take a deep breath and remember that, without him, there would be total anarchy on the ground.
Tackling and safety: Rugby today and tomorrow
With 55 to 60% of injuries and 72% of concussions linked to tackles, rugby can no longer turn a blind eye. The rules are evolving to protect players while maintaining the essence of the game. Some futuristic ideas, such as lowering the tackle line to the belt, could make a comeback. Imagine rugby where tackling would be like slow dancing. It would be weird, but at least everyone would end up in one piece.
Tackle is an art: mastered, it is beautiful and effective; poorly executed, it can ruin your day (and that of your opponent). So, friends rugby players, learn to tackle properly, respect your opponents and, above all, support our referees. Because frankly, judging a tackle in action is even harder than not finishing in the third half.
Thanks to Planète Ovale for this proposal.
