On February 2nd the Seattle Seahawks will take on the New England Patriots in the hope of winning their second consecutive Super Bowl. Seahawks coach, Pete Carroll, attributes much of the team’s success to rugby tackling techniques.
Carroll was interested in how rugby players were able to safely and effectively tackle without helmets or pads. Carroll focuses on the idea of leading with the shoulder and wrapping the arms rather than leading with the head. By implementing this technique Carroll hopes to promote player welfare and prolong careers by preventing injury whilst maintaining the physicality and toughness that the NFL is renowned for.
Rugby players take the head out of the game,” Carroll said. “We practice this without helmets, without pads…we’ve been a pretty good tackling group. I don’t know how you measure that, but I feel it’s crucial to our style of play. This style of tackling doesn’t call for the head to be involved. It’s right in line with the evolution of the game. The league has recognised that, too. I thought it was worth putting out there. And the feedback we’ve received has been tremendous.”
Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll
