Characteristics of the tackle analysed in this study
Tackle type | |
Active shoulder tackle | First contact is with the tackler’s shoulder, and the tackler drives or attempts to drive the ball carrier (BC) backwards. |
Passive shoulder tackle | First contact is with the tackler’s shoulder and the tackler does not drive or attempt to drive the BC back. |
Smother tackle | Tackler uses the chest and attempts to wrap both arms around the ball carrier. |
Tap tackle | Tackler trips the BC with a hand on the lower limb below the knee. |
Lift tackle | Tackler lifts the BC’s hips above the BC head. |
No arm tackle | Tackler impedes the BC without use of their arms. |
High tackle | Tackler makes contact above the BC shoulders, as adjudicated by the on-field referee. |
Tackle direction | |
Front-on | Tackler makes contact on the front of the BC. |
On angle | Tackler makes contact with the BC on an angle. |
Side-on | Tackler makes contact with the side of the BC. |
Back | Tackler makes contact with the BC from behind. |
Accelerating player | |
Tackler | Only the tackler accelerates into contact. |
Ball carrier | Only the BC accelerates into contact. |
Both | Both tackler and BC accelerate into the contact. |
Neither | Neither player accelerates into contact. |
Tackler and BC speed | |
High | Running or sprinting |
Low | Walking or jogging |
Stationary | Standing still or moving minimally |
Tackler and BC body positions | |
Upright | The player is standing in an upright position, with the knees only slightly bent and with minimal hip flexion. |
Bent at the waist | The player is bent at the waist or crouched. |
Falling/diving | The player is in the process of diving or falling to ground at the point of contact. |