Law Application Guidelines

This guideline has been superseded by the Head Contact Process update announced in March 2023.

Download this guideline as a PDF

Context

Player welfare drives World Rugby’s decision making for zero tolerance of foul play, especially where head contact occurs.

The focus must be on the actions of those involved, not the injury - the need for an HIA does not necessarily mean that there has been illegal head contact.

Not all head contacts are foul play

Accidental contact with the ball-carrier tackled into the defender

‘Friendly fire’ as the two defenders clash heads

Absolutely accidental head clash between white 15 and red 14 - both competing for the ball at the same height

The ‘power of choice’ for tacklers is crucial, especially as 72% of head injuries occur in the tackle.

Gold 12 drops his weight down and through the low tackle attempt from black 15

White 8 braces to present all the hard points, bouncing off green 2’s low tackle attempt

Green 8 braces to present all the hard points, bouncing off red 8’s low tackle

There needs to be an understanding that tacklers stay up to allow them to ‘adjust and react’ - dropping quickly into the low tackle entry position - using their ‘eyes and feet’ to get their timing right.

It is important that coaches and players continually develop safe tackling techniques in training.

Aims of the Head Contact Process

The process is designed to protect the head, neck and throat area of players.

The process can be applied to:

• High tackles
• Shoulder charges
• Dangerous cleanouts
• Head-to-head collisions
• Leading elbow / forearm

The Head Contact Process is a Law Application Guideline. Under 9.11, the referee is always entitled to issue a red or yellow card for anything deemed to be reckless or dangerous. However, this process is intended to aid consistency in the application of sanctions by providing guidance on how contact with the head should be approached by match officials and disciplinary personnel.

Process questions and considerations

1. Has head contact occurred?

Head contact includes neck and throat area

2. Was there foul play?

Considerations:

• Intentional
• Reckless
• Avoidable

3. What was the degree of danger?

Considerations include:

• Direct vs indirect contact
• High force vs low force

4. Is there any mitigation?

Considerations include:

• Line of sight
• Sudden and significant drop or movement
• Clear attempt to change height
• Level of control
• Upright - passive vs dynamic

Mitigation will not apply for intentional or highly reckless acts of foul play

Trigger words for match officials

Match officials may wish to use the non-exhaustive list of trigger words below to help them identify whether a player is at fault, the degree of danger involved and whether any mitigation should be applied.

Play on

No fault

• Sudden and significant drop in height by the ball carrier
• Player had no time to readjust
• Passive action
• Involuntary collision
• No leading arm when close to the body

PK

YC

Low danger

• Indirect contact
• Low force
• Low speed
• Passive
• No leading head / shoulder / forearm

RC

High danger

• Direct contact
• Lack of control
• High speed
• Upright and dynamic
• Leading head / shoulder / elbow / forearm
• Swinging arm
• No mitigation for intentional or highly reckless act of foul play

Mitigation

• Sudden / significant drop in height or change in direction from ball carrier
• A late change in dynamics due to another player in the contact
• An effort to wrap / bind and having no time to adjust