Technical determinants of tackle and ruck performance in International rugby union |
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| Authors: | Sharief Hendricks Tiffany van Niekerk Drew Wade Sin Mike Lambert Steve den Hollander James Brown |
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| Institution: | 1. Institute for Sport, Physical Activity and Leisure, Centre for Sport Performance, School of Sport, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, UK;2. Division of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa;3. Division of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa;4. Department of Public and Occupational Health and the EMGO Institute Health and Care Research, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands |
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| Abstract: | The most frequently occurring contact events in rugby union are the tackle and ruck. The ability repeatedly to engage and win the tackle and ruck has been associated with team success. To win the tackle and ruck, players have to perform specific techniques. These techniques have not been studied at the highest level of rugby union. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to identify technical determinants of tackle and ruck performance at the highest level of rugby union. A total of 4479 tackle and 2914 ruck events were coded for the Six Nations and Championship competitions. Relative risk ratio (RR), the ratio of the probability of an outcome occurring when a characteristic was observed (versus the non-observed characteristic), was determined using multinomial logistic regression. Executing front-on tackles reduced the likelihood of offloads and tackle breaks in both competitions (Six Nations RR 3.0 Behind tackle, 95% confidence interval 95% CI]: 1.9–4.6, effect size ES] = large, P < 0.001); Championship RR 2.9 Jersey tackle, 95% CI: 1.3–6.4, ES = moderate, P = 0.01). Fending during contact increased the chances of offloading and breaking the tackle in both competitions (Six Nations RR 4.5 Strong, 95% CI: 2.2–9.2, ES = large, P = P < 0.001; Championship RR 5.1 Moderate, 95% CI: 3.5–7.4, ES = large, P < 0.001). For the ruck, actively placing the ball increased the probability of maintaining possession (Six Nations RR 2.2, 95% CI: 1.1–4.3, ES = moderate, P = 0.03); Championship RR 4.0, 95% CI: 1.3–11.8, ES = large, P = 0.01). The techniques identified in this study should be incorporated and emphasised during training to prepare players for competition. Furthermore, these techniques need to be added to coaching manuals for the tackle and ruck. |
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| Keywords: | Rugby union tackle ruck performance |
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