World Rugby Law Changes and adjusted tackle height take effect from September 1, 2024
Later this week, registration will open for the 2024-25 Membership year, which officially begins September 1, 2024. Earlier this year, World Rugby (WR) announced some Law changes applying to competitions globally starting from July 1, 2024. These changes will take effect in the USA starting September 1, 2024, in all matches of rugby at all levels that are part of the 2024-25 Membership year. As previously announced to all members in April, lowered tackle height will also take effect at the same time, following a successful trial in the spring friendlies in Midwest Senior Club competitions.
Pre-season matches, friendlies, or competitions that start in August should apply these new laws immediately.
A video resource regarding tackle height has been sent to all coaches and referees. In addition, a referee webinar discussing the following changes and the Game Management Guidelines for the 2024-25 season will be held on Tuesday August 13, and will be available to all USA Rugby members on the USA Rugby Learning Center from Wednesday August 14.
- Tackles above the base of the sternum are liable to penalty, and ball carriers must not lead with their head into a tackler. The wording of the new Law specifically refers to players ‘running in open field play’, which is designed to exclude ‘pick and drive’ scenarios around the ruck and maul, and especially play around the try line where the ball-carrier’s height is usually low by design. Collisions in these aspects of the game are not at high speed and are rarely dangerous, so the new Law will not apply. A one-page guideline with the law text, details, and diagrams can be found HERE.
PLEASE NOTE: Except in extreme examples of repeated infringement, there should be no increase in yellow or red cards from this change. This change adjusts the line of a ‘high tackle’ Penalty Kick from the line of the shoulders down to the base of the sternum. Where there is head or neck contact, in any scenario, use of World Rugby’s existing Head Contact Process to determine penalty kick, yellow card, or red card sanctions still applies and has not changed.
- On kicks, players of the kicking team ahead of the kicker may not loiter, but must actively retreat until onside, even if they are more than 10 meters from where the ball is expected to land. Additionally, players are NOT put onside by an opponent running 5 meters with the ball, or passing the ball. This is a significant change; teams should ensure that all players understand it.
- The so-called "gator" or “crocodile" roll, where a player uses their own body weight to laterally roll/twist/pull a jackler to ground, is considered dangerous play. A player may still be levered out of the contest or driven back.
- When awarded a free kick, a team may NOT opt for a scrummage.
The information from World Rugby explaining the changes can be found HERE and the exact text of the laws can be found HERE.
The new Game Management Guidelines for the 2024-25 season can be found HERE.
At scrummage, some hookers have used a “semi/half brake foot”. The brake foot must be in position to serve as a brake taking pressure off the head and necks of the front row until the call of “set”. See further info HERE.
On conversion kicks, once a kicker is “finally settled”, that indicates to everyone that the next time the player steps, or lifts a foot off the ground to step, that will be the start of their “approach to kick” as per law 8.14. See further info HERE.
