Ball carrier with head at knee height

[wasps]

It's happening nearly all the time when there's a tap and go penalty near the try line.
The ball carrier bends over double so that their heads are at knee height.

Presumably this is done to make it harder to tackle them, however it's got to be hugely dangerous for both the ball carrier and any would-be tackler.




I'm not aware of any law that covers this, but I wonder if something similar to the head being above the hips, as is the case during scrum time would make things safer.

[Shugs]

Absolutely agree. What can you hit? You have two options - concede a try or get yellowed and then concede a try.

[NellyWellyWaspy]

Absolutely agree. What can you hit? You have two options - concede a try or get yellowed and then concede a try.

You have to grab them by the arms and fall backwards, pulling them on top of you.

I discussed this at the start of the season as the probable consequence of the held up rule changes.

It is the only viable defence. You pull them down and a player each side pins them and pulls them over the line, stopping them from scoring, and winning the possession. The only time you don't have to release a player in the tackle is when they are holding the ball and the ball is over the line. The attack cannot risk the pre-engage because of the penalty if they fail to score, so you let the player get to the line, then do this tackle.

It is like a judo defence, except in judo you grab, fall backwards, use their own momentum and get your feet under them and launch them flying over you.

[Chunky24]

Quins employed Jack Kenningham in these situations as the main tackler against Exeter in last years final, he arrived at an angle from the side, rather than head on, cutting the carrier down at the ankles.

The law adjustment about the latcher needing to stay on his feet has also slightly changed the effectiveness of this carry.