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Head Contact - law Changes come into effect immediately

Head Contact - law Changes come into effect immediately

Dan Kent5 Jan 2017 - 08:53
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New measures to limit contact with the head have been introduced, including minimum on-field sanctions.

The following message from the RFU has been addressed to all Refs, Players, Coaches and Clubs. All members are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the law changes and they will be discussed at forthcoming training sessions.

The relevant excerpt from the law changes is as follows;

Reckless Tackle

A player is deemed to have made reckless contact during a tackle or attempted tackle or during other phases of the game if in making contact, the player knew or should have known that there was a risk of making contact with the head of an opponent, but did so anyway. This sanction applies even if the tackle starts below the line of the shoulders. This type of contact also applies to grabbing and rolling/ twisting around the head/ neck area even if the contact starts below the line of the shoulders.

Minimum sanction: Yellow card

Maximum sanction: Red card

Accidental Tackle

When making contact with another player during a tackle or attempted tackle or during other phases of the game, if a player makes accidental contact with an opponent’s head, either directly or where the tackle starts below the line of the shoulders, the player MAY be sanctioned. This includes situations where the ball carrier slips into the tackle.

Minimum sanction: Penalty

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Dear CrefC/CCC/Club Coaches & Referees,

This will apply at all levels of the game from 3rd January 2017 introducing minimum on-field sanctions for reckless and accidental contact with the head, effectively lowering the acceptable height of the tackle.

The new measures to limit contact with the head:
• New law application guideline will codify zero-tolerance to contact with the head
• Approach informed by largest-ever study identifying most common situations leading to head injuries
• Players, coaches and match officials urged to be proactive in changing culture
• Latest step in proactive, evidence-driven approach to injury reduction

Click here for law application guidelines:
http://laws.worldrugby.org/index.php?domain=9&language=EN

The approach, approved by the World Rugby Council after extensive expert, independent and union evaluation, combines with new disciplinary sanctions and a re-focus of match officials on dangerous play. It will provide a package of measures that aims to change culture in the sport to ensure that the head is a no-go area.

Click here for information in relation to World Rugby's approach to concussion:
http://www.englandrugby.com/my-rugby/players/player-health/concussion-headcase/

In addition, while striking or kicking an opponent is never acceptable, it is a more serious offence when it involves contact with the head or neck. Ball-carriers must be careful that they fend off tacklers legally and do not strike opponents.

The information in this send out is provided for you to please action, distribute or circulate far and wide, to include coaches, players, referees, parents, etc. to encourage and grow the relationships between all parties and to generate better understanding of what we are all trying to do.

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