Waist or base of the sternum
The national union or match organizer chooses which of the two permitted community sanction lines applies.
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Learn where a tackler may legally make contact, what changed in the community game in 2026, and how the applicable rule differs between non-contact youth, U.S. community and elite rugby.
Rugby does not use one legal tackle height at every level. In community rugby, the applicable governing body or match organizer selects either the waist or the base of the sternum as the high-tackle sanction line.
USA Rugby introduced the base of the sternum as its community-game sanction line on September 1, 2024. That published guidance applies the lower line during open-field play. A tackle above the applicable line may be penalized even when it does not make contact with the head or neck. Players and teams should confirm the current rules issued for their competition.
The national union or match organizer chooses which of the two permitted community sanction lines applies.
Elite rugby continues to use the shoulder line unless a particular competition is operating an approved lower-height trial or variation.
The lower tackle height is intended to reduce upright collisions in which the tackler’s head enters the same space as the ball carrier’s head or shoulder. Lowering the permitted point of contact encourages tacklers to approach from a lower body position and target the ball carrier’s torso.
In its March 2023 community tackle-height announcement, World Rugby cited independent research showing that the tackle was responsible for 74% of all concussions.
Source: World Rugby, March 13, 2023
World Rugby reported that tackles were more than four times as likely to result in a head injury when the tackler’s head was positioned near the ball carrier’s body above the sternum.
Source: World Rugby, March 13, 2023
An upright tackler is more likely to place their head close to the ball carrier’s head and shoulders. A lower tackle target is intended to move the tackler’s head toward the ball carrier’s torso instead.
This does not make every low tackle automatically safe or legal. Tacklers must still remain in control, avoid dangerous contact and make a genuine attempt to grasp the ball carrier with the arms.
Tacklers must lower their body height and make contact below the sanction line selected for the match. Under World Rugby Law 14, ball carriers also have a responsibility to enter the tackle safely.
Training must prepare players to lower before contact, enter under control, place the head away from the most dangerous collision area and use the arms in the tackle.
Match officials must apply the sanction line selected for the competition and distinguish a tackle-height infringement from an incident involving head or neck contact.
A tackle can be penalized for being above the applicable community sanction line even when there is no contact with the ball carrier’s head or neck.
The referee first identifies the sanction line that applies to the match. The official then considers where the tackle occurred, the tackler’s initial contact point and whether any head or neck contact requires a separate review.
Elite rugby normally uses the shoulder line. In community rugby, the applicable union or match organizer selects either the waist or the base of the sternum. An approved competition trial or Game On variation may also affect the rules used in a particular match.
The 2026 wording applies the lower community sanction line when either player is in open-field play. World Rugby’s accompanying note explains that this generally means play has moved approximately one to two metres or more away from the preceding phase.
The tackler must make contact below the sanction line that applies to the match. A community tackle can therefore be penalized for being above the waist or base of the sternum even when the tackle does not contact the ball carrier’s head or neck.
Contact begins below the applicable line and the remaining tackle requirements are met.
Contact begins above the applicable line during the situation covered by the law.
Being below the height line does not automatically make a tackle legal. The tackler must remain in control, avoid dangerous contact and make a genuine attempt to grasp the ball carrier with the arms. The ball carrier also has a responsibility under Law 14 to enter the tackle safely.
Not automatically. World Rugby’s law does not assign a separate tackle height to every age band. The applicable line depends on the form of rugby being played, whether the match is classified as community or elite rugby, and the rules adopted by the governing body or match organizer.
Non-contact formats use alternatives such as touch or tag instead of a tackle. Because tackling is not part of the format, there is no legal tackle-height line to apply.
Contact youth and high-school rugby is generally part of the community game. The relevant union or match organizer chooses between the waist and base-of-sternum sanction lines and may also use age-grade or Game On variations.
College rugby normally operates under community laws rather than the elite shoulder-line standard. Players must follow the sanction line published for their governing organization and competition.
Senior community and social competitions use the community sanction line selected by the union or match organizer. Local Game On variations may add requirements concerning ball-carrier height or simultaneous double tackles.
Elite rugby retains the shoulder as its normal high-tackle sanction line. A lower line applies only when the particular competition is conducting an approved trial or has published another authorized rule.
USA Rugby introduced the base of the sternum as the sanction line for its sanctioned community competitions beginning September 1, 2024. Its implementation process included representatives from Youth and High School, college and senior club rugby.
That announcement should not be treated as permanent proof of the rule used by every U.S. competition in every later season. Under the 2026 World Rugby law, the governing body or match organizer must determine whether the waist or base of the sternum applies in community rugby.