The Velocity of Ball-Carriers and Tacklers during Shoulder Tackles

The most frequently executed type of tackle in rugby is the shoulder tackle. A shoulder tackle occurs when the tackler uses either shoulder as the first point of contact with the ball carrier. The aim of this study was to compare the velocity of the ball-carrier and tackler engaged in shoulder tackles, and determine whether factors such as the number of passes from the previous phase, match period, quality of attack, match location and position of tackler had an effect on the mean and approaching velocities of the ball-carrier and tackler. The velocity of the ball-carrier and tackler during shoulder tackles (n=12) were determined using a 2D analysis tool. The tackles were also coded according to pass number, match period, quality of defence and attack, match status, defensive shape and movement, position of tackler and ball-carrier. The ball-carrier’s velocity (4.10±1.85m.s-1) when entering contact was significantly higher than the tackler’s velocity (5.19±3.22 m.s–1)(p<0.05). The ball-carrier’s velocity was significantly higher when entering contact further from the set piece (p<0.001), when playing away from home (p<0.001) and when ranked in the top three (p<0.001). The findings of this study provide insight into the complexities of the tackle in rugby.