Breakdown Overview

Below are resources for helping with process and application at the breakdown.

Video walkthrough

Advantage Rugby Referees has put together a very nice, comprehensive look at the breakdown.

Pre-tackle/contact

Be aware of the context of the moment in the match.

• Is the contact a situation that is dynamic or static?
• Where on the field are the teams right now?
• Who is applying pressure and who is feeling pressure?

Triggers

Pictures can tell a story. Now the visual triggers to prepare yourself as much as possible.

Tackle

See Law 14.

For a tackle to occur, the ball-carrier is held and brought to ground by one or more opponents. Being brought to ground means that the ball-carrier is lying, sitting or has at least one knee on the ground or on another player who is on the ground. Being held means that a tackler must continue holding the ball-carrier until the ball-carrier is on the ground.

Tackle priorities

1. Ensure the tackler (and tackle-assist, when appropriate) release and roll away or don’t interfere with arriving players or the tackled player exercising their rights.

   Tackler/Tackle-Assist Tips

   Tacklers should roll as though the floor is lava.

   Tacklers should also roll east/west and not impede arriving support players.

   If they are slow and it makes the offense wait to play the ball, they are liable to PK.

   Tackle-assists need a clear and obvious release. If you need a replay to see it, it’s not clear and obvious.

2. Tackled player must immediately make the ball available (placing or passing) and not prevent players on their feet from playing the ball.

   Tackled Player Tips

   Tackled players get one (1) move. Watch for extra rolls when isolated.

3. Arriving players are entering the breakdown legally and safely while maintaining positive body positions/not leaving their feet.

   Arriving Player Tips

   The “gate” is as wide/narrow/tall/short as the tackle box. It must be entered square, but players can use angles after legal entry.

   Ensure arriving support players are in a positive body position and not cynically sealing off/going off feet.

   The jackal is first arriving player on the tackler’s team who can contest for possession at the tackle only by remaining on their feet. If involved at the tackle, they must move away and re-enter through their side of the gate before contesting possession. To reward a jackal, they must be contesting possession by winning the race, grasping/holding the ball and a pull, showing they are denied possession by the tackled ball carrier.

Clean up the tackle will set you up for positive rucks. If the tackle is garbage, it will flow downhill and make the ruck garbage. Player frustration will mount and pressure will be put onto you as opposed to the players, where it belongs.

Ruck

See Law 15.

For a ruck to occur, there must be one player from each side are in contact, on their feet, and over the ball.

Ruck priorities

1. Locate the ball. Is the ball available? If not, why? Respond accordingly.
2. Is the ball out?
   • the ball is out where there are no bodies over the ball
   • digging for the ball is not out
   • hand on the ball is not out, but lifting the ball is out
   • when in doubt, the ball is not out
3. Have the team in possession use it.
   • when the ball is clearly won, and available to be played, referee will say “use it” and the ball must be played within 5 seconds (15.17).