Law 14: Tackle

A tackle needs the ball-carrier held and brought to ground by one or more opponents.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 14.1 · recall

A tackle can take place anywhere in the playing area; the later tackle laws apply only in the field of play.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 14, Principle · recall

Being held means the tackler continues holding the ball-carrier until the carrier is on the ground.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 14.3 · recall

Tacklers must tackle below the sanction line; the ball-carrier must enter the tackle safely.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 14.1 · recall

Elite: the shoulder line. Community: waist or base of the sternum, as the union decides.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 14.1 · recall

Players who hold but stay up, arrivals and players already down are the 'others' in a tackle.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 14.4 · recall

Brought to ground means lying, sitting or with at least one knee on the ground or on a player who is down.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 14.2 · applied

One knee on the ground while held is enough for the ball-carrier to be brought to ground.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 14.2 · applied

Held and brought to ground: then the tackle has happened.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 14.1-3 · recall

The community options sit below the elite shoulder line.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 14.1 · recall

Tacklers must immediately release the ball and the ball-carrier after both players go to ground.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 14.5b · recall

Tacklers must be on their feet before attempting to play the ball.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 14.5d · recall

Tacklers may play the ball from their own try line's direction if they complied and no ruck has formed.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 14.6 · recall

Release, pass or push it in any direction except forward; it may be placed in any direction.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 14.7a · applied

Tackled players must not lie on, over or near the ball to prevent opponents winning it. Sanction: penalty.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 14.7c · applied

Others must arrive from the direction of their own try line and stay on their feet when playing the ball.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 14.8c · recall

They must play it immediately and must not go to ground at or near the tackle unless tackled.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 14.9 · applied

A tackled player may place the ball in any direction; only passing or pushing it forward is barred.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 14.7a · applied

Release, move away or get up, regain the feet, then play from the direction of the own try line.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 14.5-6 · recall

Make the ball available immediately, then move away or get up.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 14.7 · recall

Offside lines exist at a tackle once at least one player is on their feet over the ball on the ground.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 14.10 · recall

Each line runs parallel to the try line through the hindmost point of any such player.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 14.10 · recall

If that point is on or behind the try line, the offside line is the try line.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 14.10 · applied

A tackle ends when a ruck forms, a player on their feet gains the ball and plays it, the ball leaves, or it is unplayable.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 14.11 · recall

A player on their feet gaining possession and moving away ends the tackle.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 14.11b · applied

If there is doubt who did not conform, the referee orders a scrum to the team last moving forward.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 14.11d · applied

The tackle ends when the ball leaves the tackle area.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 14.11c · applied

Number 7 over the ball is what makes the lines.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 14.10 · applied

Over the ball creates offside lines; a ruck ends the tackle.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 14.10-11 · recall

Doubt about the offender means a scrum.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 14.11d · recall