HELP

Question
im about 6 ft, and nearly 13st, i play on the wing and recently injured myself tackling someone, i did some soft tissue damage in my wrist and shoulder and couldnt move it for nearly 3 weeks. because of this i havent played much and im a bit worried about tackling. have you any suggestions on how i can overcome this fear? and any tips on techniques etc. would be appreciated.

thanks

Answer
Mr Hefford,

In order to tackle after an injury, two questions must be asked-

1. Are you physically able to tackle safely?

-Can your shoulder muscles move sufficiently to cover the collarbone?
-Can your elbow rise to the height of the shoulder when you are good body position to make the tackle (shoulder above the rear, head up, spine in line, crouched with back bowed in)?
-Can the neck rotate and move to the side?
-Can the arms be spread out with hands up?
-Can you rotate your wrist?
-Can you bend your hand back?
-Do you have clearance from a doctor/physical therapist to play?

If the answer to any of these questions are no, then you should go into a strength/flexibility development regime under the guidance of a physical therapist until you can answer yes.

Coming back into the game too soon will make injury that much easier. Knowing you are physically able to make a tackle will go a long way in being mentally prepared to make contact.

2. Are you psychologically ready to tackle?

-Do you want to make the tackle?
-Can you overcome your fear of injury sufficiently to make a good tackle?  You will have a fear of injurying both the shoulder and wrists.

If the answer to either question is no, then you need to develop confidence. Do not be ashamed to admit this, after an injury, most rugby players have less confidence.  This leads them to play timidly and since they are not mentally prepared to make contact, they increase their chances of injury.

The best way to regain confidence is to use the process of learning how to tackle and to focus on technique. This should be progressive program.

I would suggest starting tackling against a rucking bag (tackling bags can also be used), coming in under control and working on body position (very important- keep shoulders square so the initial contact is not made with the point of the shoulder, arms raised so that muscles can provide more protection).

Once confidence in body position is there, start working against a ball carrier. Many coaches start tackling development with the tackler on his knees, then in a low crouch, and than moving towards the ball carrier. Again, only progress to the next level when you are confident.

I tend to be a minority in this, but unless shoulder pads are necessary to protect the injury, I usually do not recommend them during the training phase. With a false sense of security, players are less likely to employ good technique when tackling and more likely to use their shoulders as weapons.

Once you are psychologically and physically ready to make contact, the final, and admittedly the most difficult task, is to make full contact tackles.

This is the process that I used to get back to tackling after a shoulder injury.

I hope this at least gives you some ideas that you can talk over with your coach, and/or doctor.  Make sure that you under the guidance of trained person for the rehabilitation process.

Thank you,

Deane Shephard
Stuttgart RFC