World Rugby Will Outlaw Hip-Drop and Knee-Drop Tackles
New safety regulations aimed at reducing leg injuries will take effect in international play starting November 1.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Other Sports
Live Poll
Should sports leagues ban physical techniques that carry a high risk of player injury?
World Rugby will officially prohibit the use of hip-drop and knee-drop tackles beginning on 1 November 2026. The move follows concerns regarding a rising frequency of injuries associated with these specific defensive techniques.
Why it matters
The decision addresses clinical research demonstrating that these tackle types frequently result in serious leg injuries to ball carriers. By standardizing these rules, rugby union aims to mitigate dangerous contact and align its safety standards with other professional sports leagues.
Hip-drop tackles are now punishable by at least a penalty under the new global mandate. This shift follows the 2020 ban of similar techniques in rugby league and the 2024 implementation of a hip-drop tackle prohibition in the National Football League.
The players
World Rugby
This is the international governing body for the sport of rugby union that is responsible for creating and enforcing global playing regulations.
The details
The hip-drop tackle involves a defender dropping their body weight onto the lower limbs of a ball carrier, while the knee-drop tackle occurs when a player drops to one or both knees before making contact. These methods were formally identified as safety concerns during the Shape of the Game conference held in February 2026.
Timeline
Rugby league outlawed hip-drop tackles in 2020.
The NFL prohibited hip-drop tackles in 2024.
Unions discussed these tackles at the Shape of the Game conference in February 2026.
The new rules will take effect on 1 November 2026.
Roadmap
The implementation of these new rugby regulations follows the pattern set by the 2024 NFL hip-drop tackle ban. This reflects an industry-wide transition in professional contact sports toward prioritizing player limb safety by eliminating specific high-risk engagement techniques.
Players and coaching staffs must adjust their defensive techniques to avoid receiving penalties or potential suspension for illegal contact. For fans, these changes will likely result in a shift in how tackles are officiated and managed during live international broadcasts.
The takeaway
The move signals a heightened focus on athlete welfare across global contact sports. Coaches should review these technical restrictions to ensure player compliance before the November implementation date.
What happens next
The new regulations for hip-drop and knee-drop tackles are scheduled to take effect internationally on 1 November 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about the evolving regulations of international matches in our Other Sports section.
Live Poll
Should sports leagues ban physical techniques that carry a high risk of player injury?
