What is tackle school?

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In rugby union, a coaching intervention programme - more commonly known as 'tackle school' - is designed to help educate players after they are shown a red card for a dangerous tackle.

Designed by World Rugby in 2021 as a way to improve a player's tackling technique, completing the programme can enable players to reduce suspensions.

Any player shown a Head Contact Process red card that is upheld by a disciplinary panel is able to apply to attend 'tackle school', where they will be coached to make improvements to their technique to prevent further offences and injuries.

The programme is a bespoke, dedicated session at which the player will be coached by one of their club or international coaches.

The session is recorded and reviewed by an independent expert, who will either approve the session or ask for more work to be done.

Each session consists of a video review of the incident, discussing with the player what should have been done better, then a practical session to work on the skill.

Close up picture of Immanuel Feyi-Waboso in training gearImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Immanuel Feyi-Waboso will attend tackle school after his red card against France XV

A player's participation is monitored and assessed to determine whether meaningful improvements in their technique have been made before they are considered to have completed 'tackle school'.

A player is deemed to have passed once the independent reviewer is happy the session has been to the required standard to positively influence player behaviour.

Although players do not receive a certificate upon completion, a record is kept, as individuals are only permitted to attend once in their career.

The course has resulted in a low rate of players reoffending, and subsequent bans for dangerous tackles.

It was initially started as a one-year pilot but has continued for elite competitions that use the sport's head injury assessment (HIA) protocols.

In 2023, former England captain Owen Farrell had a four-match suspension reduced to three after completing 'tackle school'.

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'An interesting process'

Garry Ringrose looks on while wearing an Ireland shirtImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Garry Ringrose is among the players to have attended 'tackle school'

In March of this year, Ireland centre Garry Ringrose attended 'tackle school' after being shown a red card during the Six Nations match against Wales.

Ringrose was suspended for three matches but, after attending, was allowed to return for Ireland's final match having only served two matches of his ban.

He worked closely with Ireland assistant coach Andrew Goodman in what he later described as an "interesting process".

"I was breaking it down into different elements, what I perceived what I could do better and what 'Goody' thinks I could have done better," he said.

"You go back over the incident and they designed little drills to break down the incident a bit into segments.

"That evolved into re-enacting, effectively, what happened and being acutely aware of what I can do differently in that situation," he added.

"I was on the pitch doing it, to try to anticipate what I didn't anticipate on the day in Cardiff to make sure something like that doesn't happen again."

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