Effect of lowering the maximum tackle height in English Schoolboy rugby union on tackle characteristics, and all-injury and concussion rates

Roberts, Simon P, West, Stephen W., Hancock, Matthew V, Barden, Craig ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5504-2548, Powell, Jac, Brown, James Craig, White, Vanda, Shill, Isla J., McKay, Carly D, Kemp, Simon, Faull-Brown, Rachel and Stokes, Keith A ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5049-2838 (2025) Effect of lowering the maximum tackle height in English Schoolboy rugby union on tackle characteristics, and all-injury and concussion rates. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport. doi:doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2025.09.008 (In Press)

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Abstract

Objectives This study compared tackle characteristics and injury incidence in schoolboy rugby union before and after a law change that lowered the maximum legal tackle height. Design Prospective cohort study. Methods Match injuries and game exposures were reported by U15 and U18 schoolboy teams over three seasons (2017/18 to 2019/20) when the legal tackle height was at the line of the shoulder and one season (2021/22) at the line of the armpit. Matches were filmed pre- (U15:11; U18:16 matches) and post- (U15:10; U18:10 matches) tackle height change and tackles were coded for tackler and ball carrier techniques. Tackle characteristic propensities and injury incidences were compared pre- and post-tackle height change using ratio ratios (95 % CI). Results Pre- to post-tackle height change, the propensity of shoulder height tackles reduced at U15 (Rate Ratio:0.62, 95 % CI:0.51–0.75) and U18 (RR:0.77, 95 % CI:0.65–0.92). Post-change, tacklers were more often bent at the waist when tackling at U15 (RR:1.34, 95 %CI:1.21–1.49) and U18 (RR:1.18, 95 % CI:1.08–1.29). Overall injury incidence pre- and post-tackle height change was not significantly different for U15 (RR:0.79, 95%CI:0.53–1.17) or U18 (RR:1.11, 95%CI:0.89–1.37). Pre- to post-tackle height change, neither all concussions at U15 (RR:1.43, 95%CI:0.73–2.70) and U18 (RR:0.95, 95%CI:0.59–1.47) or tackle-related concussions at U15 (RR:1.39, 95%CI:0.55–3.25) and U18 (RR:0.92, 95%CI:0.48–1.65) were different. Conclusions Following a lowering of the permitted tackle height, tackler and ball carrier tackle techniques changed, without changing the incidence of all injuries or concussions. Further lowering of the tackle height may be explored to invoke the necessary technique changes to reduce injury. Keywords

Item Type:	Article
Article Type:	Article
Related URLs:	https://www.jsams.org/article/S1440-2440...
Subjects:	R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC1200 Sports Medicine
Divisions:	Schools and Research Institutes > School of Education, Health and Sciences
Depositing User:	Craig Barden
Date Deposited:	14 Oct 2025 11:16
Last Modified:	14 Oct 2025 11:30
URI:	https://eprints.glos.ac.uk/id/eprint/15440

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