Rugby League's lower tackle height and shortened kick-offs has pros and cons
I’m interested to see how the latest law modifications to reduce concussions are going to pan out in rugby league.
For a trial period over four rounds of RFL Academy games in June and July, the legal tackle height will be reduced to below the armpit at initial contact. And, secondly, kick-offs will be taken from 10m further forward – on the opposition’s 40m line rather than halfway – to reduce the impact of ensuing collisions. It’s on the back of a three-year research project across the sport led by Leeds Beckett University.
It’s more positive steps to lessen the risks of concussion and receiving concussions which is good news. And rugby league have got it right by targeting a trial period rather than doing a ‘like it or lump it’ style. It’s certainly taken some lessons from how rugby union messed things up. They initially decided on no tackling above the waist which was met with real opposition.
I’ve no problem with the 40m kick-off. But I don’t think you can go any closer. It’s one of the great spectacles in our sport, a big man charging as hard as he can into four or five players and just seeing who comes out on top. As a player, I did enjoy it. Some you win, some you lose and it’s about setting the tone physically. It’s one of rugby league’s USPs.
I’m not sure where they are going with the ‘armpit’ limit. Will lowering it by just a couple of inches - from the neck - make that much difference? And it is going to be really hard to police.
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For me, the biggest area to target in professional rugby league is just monitoring the training. The NFL has it right. They’re only allowed so many hours of contact per week. That’s what we really have to clamp down on.
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