Transcript Tackle Progression - Eastern Pennsylvania Rugby Referees

Tackle Progression
• The Tackle has the distinct pleasure of being:
The event that occurs most often throughout a
rugby match
The most difficult aspect for a referee to
adjudicate
The item for which the teams least understand the
boundaries of the Law
Law Review
• A tackle occurs when the ball carrier is held by
one or more opponents and is brought to ground.
• A ball carrier who is not held is not a tackled
player and a tackle has not taken place.
• Opposition players who hold the ball carrier and
bring that player to ground, and who also go to
ground, are known as tacklers.
• Opposition players who hold the ball carrier and
do not go to ground are not tacklers.
About this Presentation
• The EPRRS does not have the budget to devise
a high tech simulated Tackle demonstration
• The EPRRS similarly lacks the talent to put
together anything that appears to be high tech
• The EPRRS tends to fall back on odd and goofy
to get our point across
• Enjoy the ride!
The Tackle
We are about to have a Power Point Tackle
Tackle Outcomes
There are two possible tackle outcomes.
The First is the Traditional Tackle
The Second is referred to as the “Immaculate”
Tackle
Traditional Tackle
Both Players go to Ground
Ball Carrier is Tackled Player
Defending Player is a Tackler
“Immaculate” Tackle
Defender Remains on Feet
Ball Carrier is Tackled Player
Defending Player is called a Tackle Assist (Arriving Player)
Traditional Tackle
Let’s start with this one.
Q: By Law who needs to roll away?
A: Both Players
Contrary to popular belief the Ball Carrier does have an obligation to move away
Tackle Progression Review
• The Tackler is first responsible to release and
roll away
• The Ball Carrier is afforded one opportunity to
play the ball, then must roll away
• Even with a crowd above, the players on the
ground must be showing an effort to move
• NO FETAL POSITION!!
• The goal is to allow the players on their feet to
have a fair contest for the ball
Materiality
• This word was invented a bunch of years ago
to allow referees to call penalties not just
because the Law Book says so, but instead
based on what matters
• We have gone over the Law and the way
things are meant to progress, but have not
applied to real life situations to see if the
inaction by a player is material
Traditional Tackle
Q: Will there be a contest for the ball here?
A: No
Traditional Tackle
Q: When must the Tackler roll?
A: NOW!!!!!
Traditional Tackle
Q: When must the Tackled Player roll?
A: Almost Never
Traditional Tackle
Q: When must the Tackled Player release the ball?
A: Almost Never
Traditional Tackle
Q: Will there be a contest for the ball here?
A: No
Traditional Tackle
Q: When must the Tackler roll?
A: Whenever to make the ball available for his team
Traditional Tackle
Q: When must the Tackled Player roll?
A: NOW!!
Traditional Tackle
Q: When must the Tackled Player release the ball?
A: NOW!!!
Traditional Tackle
Q: Will there be a contest for the ball here?
A: Yes
Traditional Tackle
Q: When must the Tackler roll?
A: As soon as humanly possible
Traditional Tackle
Q: When must the Tackled Player roll?
A: As soon as humanly possible
Traditional Tackle
Q: When must the Tackled Player release the ball?
A: NOW!!!
“Immaculate” Tackle
The Materiality components of the Immaculate
Tackle are exactly the same as the Traditional
tackle as they relate to the next players in
“Immaculate” Tackle
This is the more confusing of the two
Tackle Outcomes
“Immaculate” Tackle
The most important piece for the Defender is
that he is on the correct side of the ball
“Immaculate” Tackle
Now that we are in the right place…
Q: When must the Defender release the Tackled Player?
A: Immediately!
“Immaculate” Tackle
Now that we are in the right place…
Q: When must the Defender release the Tackled Player?
A: Immediately!
The Ball Carrier must be given a chance to play the ball
“Immaculate” Tackle
Now that we are in the right place…
Q: When must the Defender release the Tackled Player?
A: Immediately!
The Arriving Player needs to release for the time of a clap, then may go back in
“Immaculate” Tackle
Now that we are in the right place…
Q: When must the Defender release the Tackled Player?
A: Immediately!
That is all the time the Tackled Player has
Additional Items
There are a couple more slides to address a few
other Tackle and Ruck issues that the referees
are seeing and the playing public should be
made aware of
Q: Would this be considered a Ruck?
A: No
There are no Defenders engaged and on their feet
Q: Are these Defenders Offside?
A: No
Last Foot only applies to a formed Ruck. So long as
the Defenders are outside the Tackle Circle, they are
fine
Looking at the early breakdown, many teams are
having their support players bind to the players on
the ground to seal the ball
This is not a legal tactic as it neither allows the
players on the ground to roll, or the opposition a
fair contest for the ball
As a Ruck forms, the first player on their feet is
entitled to play the ball
This can continue through the formation of the
Ruck
Once that player loses contact with the ball, no
more hands are allowed in
Gratuity & Disclaimers
The EPRRS would like to thank all of the fine,
devilishly handsome models for taking time out
of their busy schedules to pose for these
pictures.
Any resemblance to EPRRS personnel living or
dead is mere coincidence.
No referees were harmed during the making of
this presentation.