World Rugby is cracking down on two dangerous tackling techniques, with new enforcement guidance covering the knee-drop tackle already in effect and an explicit law change covering the hip-drop tackle beginning November 1, 2026.
The changes follow research commissioned by World Rugby with Leeds Beckett University and international game analysis examining the two tackling techniques. The work was reviewed by a World Rugby working group that included USA Women’s Sevens head coach Emilie Bydwell.
Read World Rugby’s announcement on the dangerous tackle changes
The key distinction is that knee-drop tackles are already covered by existing law, while hip-drop tackles will be explicitly added to rugby’s dangerous-tackle law from November 1.
What Is a Hip-Drop Tackle?
World Rugby’s new definition identifies a hip-drop tackle as one in which the ball carrier is grasped and tackled from the side or behind and the tackler swings around or through the ball carrier and/or drops their hips or body weight onto the legs or lower limbs of the ball carrier as they are brought to ground.
World Rugby says hip-drop tackles are relatively rare but can cause significant injuries to the ball carrier.
The law change was approved by World Rugby’s Executive Board on September 28 following a recommendation from its Tackle Working Group. The technique will be explicitly incorporated into Law 9.13, with the amended law listing the sanction as a penalty.
World Rugby says further work will be completed before implementation on match-official decision-making and judicial sanctions.
Read World Rugby’s full hip-drop tackle law amendment
Knee-Drop Tackles Are Already Covered by Law
The situation with knee-drop tackles is different.
World Rugby has not created a new offense. Instead, it issued a Law Application Guideline effective October 5, 2026, reinforcing how existing laws should be applied.
World Rugby describes the technique as a player dropping a knee to the ground before making a tackle on the ball carrier.
Doing so takes the defender off their feet in open play. Under Law 13.3c, a player on the ground without the ball is out of the game and cannot tackle or attempt to tackle an opponent.
The technique presents risks to both participants. The tackler’s head can rapidly drop to the height of the ball carrier’s knee, while the ball carrier can collide with an anchored defender or be flipped or inverted by the dynamics of the tackle. World Rugby says these actions have led to an increase in injuries to both participants.
There is, however, an important distinction for players and referees.
A defender making contact with the ground at the same time as making the tackle has not automatically committed foul play. World Rugby says simultaneous contact with the ground will not be considered foul play provided the tackle is not performed dangerously.
The guideline references Law 13.3c, covering players on the ground; Law 9.11, prohibiting reckless or dangerous actions; and Law 9.13, covering dangerous tackles. The sanction specified for each is a penalty.
Read World Rugby’s full dangerous tackle guidance
Why World Rugby Acted
The review grew out of World Rugby’s Shape of the Game meeting in February.
World Rugby established an expert tackle-height working group to investigate hip-drop tackles, with the group later taking on responsibility for examining knee-drop tackles as well.
World Rugby commissioned research with Leeds Beckett University, alongside game analysis covering rugby from around the world in both sevens and 15s. The same working group also reviewed the lower-tackle-height trials at the U20 World Championships.
World Rugby said its analysis found that hip-drop tackles, although relatively rare, could cause significant leg injuries, while knee-drop tackles were becoming more prevalent.
The working group also included a prominent American rugby voice.
USA Women’s Sevens head coach Emilie Bydwell was a member of the working group, alongside representatives from players, coaches, match officials and player-welfare specialists.
Other members included Rachel Burford, representing the International Rugby Players Association on the working group, South Africa men’s coach Felix Jones and research scientist Professor Ross Tucker.
Former Ireland international Rob Kearney separately represents the International Rugby Players Association on World Rugby’s Executive Board. He acknowledged that adapting to the changes could be challenging in the short term for players, coaches and match officials, but said the decision was made to protect players from potentially serious injuries.
Key Dates
October 5, 2026 — World Rugby’s knee-drop Law Application Guideline took effect. Players who deliberately go to ground before attempting a tackle can be penalized under existing law.
November 1, 2026 — The hip-drop amendment takes effect, explicitly incorporating the technique into Law 9.13.
