The Dangerous Tackle guidelines have been developed as a player development and educational tool, to improve players' awareness of when they have performed a dangerous tackle or action. This is a self-assessment tool introduced by the SMJFL and is only for Clubs to only monitor their own players. Clubs and supporters are reminded not to comment on the opposition Club’s tackling.
An unduly rough or dangerous tackle (such as a sling tackle or driving a player into the ground with arms pinned) is defined as a tackle that is likely to be illegal (as defined in Laws of the Game) and/or will cause injury to an opposition player.
The benefits of this initiative are that the player receives immediate feedback on their tackle being dangerous and can use this information for tackling in the future. While the league has a relatively low level of serious injuries and/or concussions, improved player tackling means a safer competition for all players to participate in.
Dangerous Tackle guidelines
Should a coaching team witness a dangerous tackle being applied (or other significant unsportsmanlike behaviour) by a member of their team, the coach is to remove the player from the ground immediately and counsel the player about how why the tackle was dangerous and how it may have caused injury to the opposition player.
This is to be done regardless of whether the umpire or other official pays a free kick or applies another sanction at the time.
This is to be applied to significant cases of unsportsmanlike behaviour or significant unduly rough tackles, as per the current definitions. Other behaviour can still be addressed or reinforced at the normal match breaks.
The player will be free to return to the field of play once the coach has delivered the message.
The purpose of this guideline is to reinforce behaviour standards and expectations and to ensure that players play the game in the true spirit of the contest and lead by example in the manner which the SMJFL expects all teams and players to play the game.
This is an SMJFL guideline and there is no intention for clubs to approach other teams during the game to address opposition play.
The SMJFL encourage Team Managers to discuss the guideline, particularly as it applies to dangerous or unduly rough play/ tackles, with the opposition Team Manager prior to the commencement of the game.
The SMJFL encourages both coaches to address their teams (individually) prior to the match to reinforce the standards, and raise awareness of unduly rough or dangerous tackles.
Last Modified on 10/04/2016 21:41
