World Rugby has introduced measures targeting two dangerous tackling techniques in an effort to reduce the risk of serious leg injuries.
The governing body has moved to explicitly outlaw the “hip drop” tackle, while also issuing new guidance to match officials on the increasingly common “knee drop”.
From 1 November, the hip drop will be specifically included under Law 9.13, which deals with dangerous tackling, with offenders facing a minimum sanction of a penalty.
The technique involves a tackler using his bodyweight to pull the ball-carrier towards the ground before landing on the player’s legs from behind.
World Rugby’s guidance on the knee drop, which came into effect on 5 October, addresses situations where a defender drops to one or both knees before making contact with the ball-carrier.
That technique is already covered by laws preventing a player from making a tackle while on the ground, but officials have been given further direction on how to identify and sanction it.
The changes follow research commissioned after World Rugby’s Shape of the Game meeting in February, with Leeds Beckett University analysing both techniques in sevens and 15-a-side rugby.
Great to see that World Rugby are outlawing “Hip drop” and “knee drop” tackles.
Elrigh Louw was sidelined for 10 months because of this tackle which resulted in damaged ligaments in his left knee and also broke his leg. https://t.co/khXFxncNjh
— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) October 7, 2026
World Rugby chairman Brett Robinson said the findings prompted the governing body to act.
“Once we looked at the evidence, it was clear the hip drop tackles while rare, could cause significant leg injuries. It was also clear that knee drop tackles were on the rise.
“Protecting player welfare is at the heart of everything that World Rugby does and once we’d reviewed the analysis we’ve acted quickly to ensure that dangerous tackles of this nature are removed from the game.”
ALSO: Tappe issues tackle warning to URC
Former Ireland fullback Rob Kearney, who represents International Rugby Players on the World Rugby executive board, said: “While a change of this nature can be challenging to manage in the short term as players, coaches and match officials adjust, this decision has been taken to protect players from potential serious injury, and that’s the right thing to do.”
Photo: World Rugby
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World Rugby has introduced measures targeting two dangerous tackling techniques in an effort to reduce the risk of serious leg injuries.
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