Lower tackle height changing face of women's rugby, study says

Lower tackle height changing face of women's rugby, study says

Lowering the legal tackle height in women's rugby is proving effective in reducing head contacts between players, a new study suggests. Changes to the tackle height law in women's community rugby in Scotland is linked to reductions in head-to-head and head-to shoulder contacts, the study found. The researchers used video analysis to study the impact of the lowered tackle height law which World Rugby, the sport's governing body, introduced for co…

Lower tackle height is changing face of women's rugby, study says

Lowering the legal tackle height in women's rugby is proving effective in reducing head contacts between players, a novel study suggests. The paper is published in the journal BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine.

Study Finds Lower Tackle Height Transforming Women’s Rugby Dynamics

A pioneering study emerging from Scotland has illuminated the tangible benefits of lowering the maximum legal tackle height in women’s rugby. This world-first research, conducted collaboratively by the University of Edinburgh, Scottish Rugby, and World Rugby, offers compelling evidence that such a modification can substantially reduce harmful head contacts, which have long been a concern in contact sports. By utilizing advanced video analysis an…

World-First Study Finds Lower Tackle Height Effective in Reducing Head Injuries in Women's Rugby

Who would’ve guessed that lowering legal tackle height would be the secret weapon in making Scotland’s women’s community rugby safer? A world-first study from the University of Edinburgh suggests exactly that, reporting dramatic drops in dangerous head contacts after the law tweak was introduced in the 2023/24 season. With tackles now capped at below the sternum, the game has seen a tactical and behavioural shift that could redefine player safet…

Lower tackle height changing face of women’s rugby

Lower tackle height changing face of women’s rugby jmorris8 Mon, 12/05/2025 - 08:54 Lowering the legal tackle height in women’s rugby is proving effective in reducing head contacts between players, a world-first study suggests. Changes to the tackle height law in women’s community rugby in Scotland is linked to reductions in head-to-head and head-to shoulder contacts, the study found.Video analysisA study compared more than 11,000 tackles betwe…