A tackle occurs when an opponent holds the ball carrier and brings them to ground (for example, knees on the ground, sitting, or falling onto another player). After a tackle, the ball carrier must release the ball and the tackler must release the ball carrier, allowing play to continue as a ruck or maul. The key outcome of a tackle is stopping the ball carrier and controlling them, not simply ending the phase. This allows play to continue quickly, unlike American football where play stops.

1. Positive tackle: The tackler wins the collision, usually forcing the ball carrier to fall forward or backwards under control.

2. Negative tackle: The tackler loses the collision, usually being driven backwards by the ball carrier.

3. Missed tackle: A player attempts a tackle but fails to make effective contact or stop the ball carrier.

4. Tackle assist: A player joins an existing tackle to help complete it.

In the example below:
Player 3: Tackle assist
Player 8: Negative tackle

Step 1: Identify that a tackle attempt has occurred.

Step 2: Label the tackle.

Step 3: Label the tackle assist(s).

Q: How do I ensure correct tackle timing?

A: Ensure the tackle timing on the timeline correctly matches the video.

Q: Do I still code tackles during the opponent’s try?

A: Yes. If a tackle is missed or a completed tackle occurs during the opponent’s try, it still needs to be coded, as this data is relevant.

Q: Do I code a tackle if it occurs while the opposition player scores a try?

A: Yes. This needs to be coded.

Q: What defines a positive tackle?

A: A positive tackle is a completed tackle where the tackler wins the collision: the ball carrier is brought to ground under control and typically falls backwards with the defence having ‘won’ the contact.

Q: How do I identify a negative tackle?

A: A negative tackle is still a completed tackle, but the tackler loses the collision: the tackler is driven backward and/or the ball carrier dominates contact and falls forward before being brought down.

Q: Should I code tackles during tries?

A: Yes. If a tackle or missed tackle occurs as part of the scoring action (including the phase where the try is grounded), it still needs to be coded because it’s relevant defensive data.

Q: How do I code a tackle assist?

A: If a second defender joins an existing tackle and contributes to completing it, code that second defender as a tackle assist. The first defender remains the primary tackler.

Q: What if two players tackle simultaneously?

A: If both initiate contact at essentially the same moment, select the defender that made the first contact as the primary tackler; the other is coded as an assist.

Q: How do I code a tackle that results in a penalty?

A: Code the tackle event at the correct contact-to-ground timing. Then separately code the penalty infringement at the moment the referee awards it (advantage start or immediate signal).

Q: What if a tackle is made but the ball carrier offloads?

A: Code the tackle as completed if the carrier is brought to ground. Also code the offload if it occurs during the tackle/going to ground before a ruck forms.

Q: How do I differentiate between a tackle and a hold-up?

A: A tackle requires the ball carrier to be brought to ground (knees/seat/falling). A hold-up is when the carrier is stopped upright and not brought to ground. Code a tackle only when the ground condition is met. If multiple players from both sides join then it becomes a maul.

Q: What is the right timing for coding the tackles/tackle misses?

A: You may code the tackles starting from the time the ball carrier is falling down or when the tackle is going to be completed. As for missed tackles, code it when it happens.

Q: If a defender can’t complete a tackle because of obstruction, should I code it as a missed tackle?

A: No. If there’s an obstruction and it’s the reason for not being able to complete a Tackle/Tackle Assist, it should not be coded as a Tackle Missed.

Q: What constitutes a missed tackle?

A: A missed tackle occurs when a defender clearly attempts to tackle (reaches, wraps, or shoots in) but fails to stop or bring down the ball carrier when it would be reasonable to expect the tackle to be made.

Q: What if the tackler is obstructed?

A: Only code obstruction if the referee penalises it—otherwise it remains an uncalled event and does not need to be coded as a tackle miss.

Q: What is the right timing for coding the tackles/tackle misses?

A: You may code the tackles starting from the time the ball carrier is falling down or when the tackle is going to be completed. As for missed tackles, code it when it happens.