DEALING WITH HEAD CONTACT

Key Learnings

• We need to be clear as to WHAT is foul play. Three key words...
  • Intentional
  • Reckless
  • Avoidable
• Use the language of the Head Contact Process (HCP) to talk ourselves, Assistant Referees and captains/players through the offence i.e. low/high danger, indirect/direct, force etc
• Deal with what we see in front of us - the initial actions of the offender will tell us a lot about where we end up with as a result. Intention to make a good tackle with low body position will not often meet any of the intentional/reckless/avoidable categories, whereas an upright body position from a tackler would likely do so. Review the videos on the World Rugby Site for clarification as to what looks like foul play, what doesn't, and what factors come into play when making our decision.

WHY we take head contact seriously - see this short, informative video from Wayne Barnes

Links for reference:

• World Rugby Law Application Guidelines - includes videos for clarity
• Head Contact Process PDF
• BOPRU Referees Law Page

Article added: Thursday 15 April 2021