This is part 3 of the 3-part series on head injuries in rugby. It explores the two most interesting and relevant findings of the research, looking at how the height of the tackle and the body position of the players influences head injury risk. These two items formed the strongest evidence that was used to change the high tackle laws in the sport. We also discuss the next steps and future application of the research.
Other sports
Head injuries part 2: What makes a tackle risky?
This is the second installment in a series of articles translating recent research I published on the risk of head injuries during rugby. This part looks at the characteristics of the tackle that increase or decrease the risk.
Head injuries in Rugby, Part 1: Principle & high-level view
World Rugby recently changed and clarified laws around the high tackle in an attempt to reduce the number of concussions in the sport. That change was based on an in-depth study of the tackle, done to identify the mechanisms for head injury. This post, the first of a series of three articles on the subject, discusses the process, the principle of the research, and the high level findings.
Has rugby applied high tackle laws, or have referees stopped enforcing them?
Rugby introduced new high tackle laws with stricter sanctions for high tackles, aimed at lowering the height to reduce head injury risk. Recent criticism has suggested that referees are now softening their stance, and failing to apply the new laws, and that nothing has changed and we are back where we started. The data suggest otherwise, as this post explains
Talent ID & Development: IAAF Level 5 and USATF Level 3 lectures
I’ve spent the last week, a very stimulating one, at the IMG Academy in Brandenton Florida, where I’ve lectured on the IAAF Level 5 and USATF Level 3 coaching courses. The specific theme of this year’s Academy was Youth Sport, and I did four lectures in total – three on Talent ID and Specialization issues, […]