Biomechanics of Rugby Tackle Techniques in Youth and Adult Players: A Systematic Review of Age-Specific Injury Risk and Performance Implications

This is a systematic review of 32 studies examining rugby tackle biomechanics and injury risk in youth versus adult players. It found that tackles with the tackler's head positioned in front of the ball carrier raised per-tackle concussion risk roughly five- to eight-fold and were more common in youth; tackling with the dominant shoulder produced lower peak head accelerations than non-dominant shoulder tackles (23.0 g vs 30.4 g in one study), though this advantage diminished with fatigue; and youth players showed lower tackle proficiency (less hip/knee flexion, less leg drive, more arm-only contact) than adults.

AI summary · from the full text · reviewed by Pukhraj Gaheer, Medical Student, Queen's University before publishing

Why it mattersThese findings help clinicians and coaches understand which biomechanical tackle features drive concussion and cervical injury risk, informing age-appropriate coaching to reduce injury in a sport with very high concussion rates during tackling.

Presenting this at rounds? Start here

• ?Should youth rugby coaching programs specifically emphasize correct head placement and dominant-shoulder engagement earlier in development, given that youth players show less proficient tackle mechanics than adults?
• ?How should coaches address the erosion of the 'dominant shoulder' safety advantage under match fatigue, and does this argue for conditioning-focused injury prevention strategies?