Rugby league to trial tackling below armpit in major law change to combat head injuries

[josie andrews]

The trial will take place in the Rugby Football League's Academy competition.

Rule changes that will see tackling below the armpit come into effect in rugby league are set to be trialled later this year. The Rugby Football League has revealed plans to trial two law changes over four rounds of Academy competition later this year.

The rule changes will also see kick offs taken 10 metres further forward, on the opposition's 40-metre line, to reduce the collision impact. The trial will take place in June and July.

An RFL Statement read: "This summer’s Academy trials have been approved by the Clinical Advisory Group, and subsequently by the RFL Board at their last meeting in March – and an initial communication was made to Heads of Youth at clubs following that meeting, to advise them that the trials would be taking place.

Clubs were informed of the trials at this week’s meeting of the Rugby League Council, with more detailed explanation provided to Heads of Youth and Academy Head Coaches at a meeting in Saddleworth on Thursday.

"The priority over the coming weeks will be communication with and explanation to match officials, players, coaches and parents. The impact of the trials will be evaluated through the following months, allowing a recommendation to be made to the RFL Board about the possible implementation of the law modifications more widely across the sport."

https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/ru ... t-26751431

[josie andrews]

Why is rugby league changing the legal tackle height at this level?

Two law modifications will be trialled in the RFL Academy competition this summer, as part of the three-year research project across Rugby League led by Leeds Beckett University. The project is quantifying head impact and acceleration exposures in the sport with the aim of increasing understanding and reducing future risk.

The law modifications will be trialled over four rounds of the Academy competition from June 15 to July 30. The legal tackle height will be reduced to below the armpit at initial contact, with penalisation for contact on the head and neck at any point.

Why has rugby league made the decision to change legal tackle height at this level, following somewhat in the footsteps of rugby union who caused a stir with a similar law change recently.

Well, Dave Rotheram, the RFL’s Chief On-Field Officer, said:

“This is another significant step in what has been an extensive research project as is appropriate and necessary for such an important issue for Rugby League and other sports.

“We are aware of the considerable practical implications and challenges for players and coaches in the Academy competition of the law trials, especially regarding tackle height, which is why we have worked hard to communicate with coaches and Heads of Youth, in terms of the level of research that has led to these recommendations, and how they will be implemented.

“Players have already been introduced to the concept of the proposals at their clubs, and they now have another six weeks or so to prepare for the trials.

“By playing under these trial law changes, everyone involved in the Academy competition this summer will be making a major contribution to Rugby League’s response to this major issue – and I thank them in advance, on behalf of the sport, for that

https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/why-is-r ... vel-73460/

[Firestarter]

If this goes ahead im done

[Charriots Offiah]

If this goes ahead im done

Professor Brooks has carried out a study on head injuries and there needs to be changes based on the outcome.

[Barney841]

If that new rule happens they’ll be a lot of stopping, starting, yellow cards, red cards.
Just what we need to the make game even slower

[Firestarter]

If this goes ahead im done

Professor Brooks has carried out a study on head injuries and there needs to be changes based on the outcome.

Has the professor ever played rugby?

[josie andrews]

If this goes ahead im done

Professor Brooks has carried out a study on head injuries and there needs to be changes based on the outcome.

Has the professor ever played rugby?

Does it matter?

Did Dr Bennet Omalu? He, was a forensic pathologist, who found that constant hits to the head in American football caused ‘Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy’ (CTE) head trauma. This is what sporting bodies, of all sports, with repetitive hits to the head & causing concussion, have started to look in to.

Boxing, American Football, Soccer, Rugby League, Rugby Union are typical sports that can cause problems in later life.

[Blackpool_Pie]

If this goes ahead im done

Professor Brooks has carried out a study on head injuries and there needs to be changes based on the outcome.

Has the professor ever played rugby?

Does that actually matter when it comes to health?

[Firestarter]

Professor Brooks has carried out a study on head injuries and there needs to be changes based on the outcome.

Has the professor ever played rugby?

Does that actually matter when it comes to health?

Maybe not but lets be extra safe and just stop playing the game altogether,if you get my meaning

[archiekeith]

Professor Brooks has carried out a study on head injuries and there needs to be changes based on the outcome.

Has the professor ever played rugby?

Does that actually matter when it comes to health?

No it doesn't BP. No more biff&bash perhaps it will encourage greater skill such has existed in "tick and pass"when I was a youngster. This was soon to give way to a more mature approach to the game later to be exonerated to the status of "thugby" by the ever appreciative fans just as long as it was their team dishing it out. Oh the cries of "Off" "Off" when their own star player was pole-axed you a laughingly called tackle ( really a frontal charge designed to "waste" the recipient. Hence latter in life the player has an heroic life possibly as a despondent virtual paraplegic!