2026-06 Community Tackle Height law wordings approved
At World Rugby's Council meeting on 17 June 2026, new law wordings relating to the lower tackle height in the community game were approved.
These will be reflected in our laws materials on 1 July 2026.
These are the wordings which will be included:
Foul Play – Law 9
9.13 A player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously. Dangerous tackling includes, but is not limited to, tackling or attempting to tackle an opponent above the line of the shoulders even if the tackle starts below the line of the shoulders which leads to head contact; or tackling or attempting to tackle an opponent above the relevant sanction line (see 14.1) while either player is in open field play.
Tackle - Law 14
Principle
A tackle can take place anywhere in the field of play the playing area. The actions of players involved in the tackle must ensure a safe and fair contest and allow the ball to be available for play immediately. Subsequent tackle laws only apply in the field of play
Additional text added to 14.1
14.1 For a tackle to occur, the ball-carrier is held and brought to ground by one or more opponents. Tacklers have a responsibility to tackle below the relevant high tackle sanction line – shoulder line in elite rugby, or waist/base of the sternum in community rugby. The ball carrier has a responsibility to enter the tackle safely. (See Laws 9.13, 14.5a and Game-On Variation)
Additional clause in 14.5:
14.5 Tacklers must:
a. Tackle below the relevant sanction line – shoulder, base of the sternum, waist
Sanction: Penalty
Current laws 14.5 a-e re-lettered to b-f
Game On Variations
Law 9 - Game On variation – amendment
9.13 A player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously. Dangerous tackling includes, but is not limited to, tackling or attempting to tackle an opponent which leads to head contact; or tackling or attempting to tackle an opponent above the relevant sanction line while either player is in open field play
Match organisers have three two choices on the sanction line: shoulder (as is current law) base of sternum line or waist height
Law 14 - Game On addition:
14: Match organisers can choose whether to set a tackle height of the waist or to the base of the sternum line. They may also choose to sanction ball-carriers who drop their body height into a tackle and/or apply restrictions to teams who make double-tackles.
Additional optional clauses for Law 14 Game On variation
Ball carriers
A ball carrier in open play must not lower their height significantly before making dangerous contact with a tackler. Sanction: Penalty
Double tackles – flexible options
Two (or more) players may not simultaneously tackle a ball carrier in open play. Sanction: Penalty
When two (or more) players make a simultaneous tackle, only the primary tackler must meet the relevant sanction line. Any additional tackler(s) must be no higher than the line of the shoulder.