Grapple tackle

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A grapple tackle is a controversial tackling technique used in rugby league. It has gain notoriety in Australia's National Rugby League competition whereby the tackler attempts to impede the ball carrier by applying a chokehold-like maneuver. Although players can be penalised for its use, it is difficult to enforce.

[edit] Mechanics

A grapple tackle actually has two distinct variations, both of which are now considered illegal, and a mere 'chokehold' is for want of a better term, 'tolerated'.

Type A (a true grapple tackle) involves a defender, usually the 3rd to arrive, solely applying pressure to the attacker's neck with his arms crossed over. He then proceeds to 'untwist' his arms in order to twist the players neck. The idea is that the attacker soon realises that he cannot continue to fall onto his stomach - hence get a quick play the ball - he must turn with the player twisting his neck onto his back. The 3rd defender, now with the attackers 'backhead' in his stomach and still with his arms placed around the players neck, then puts his entire weight onto the players head by shifting his weight off his legs. This enables the previous defenders considerable time to retreat the 10m, because of the pressure on the neck the attacker is 'stunned'. Doing this type of tackle requires many things, and some teams do it better than others. While they believe they are unfairly targeted by some clubs, the Melbourne are masters at this type of tackle. To pull it off perfectly, you need two things:
- a) the 1st defender to tackle low. Melbourne has two of the best in the league at this - Cameron Smith and Dallas Johnson;
- b) two more bigger stronger defenders to tackle at the same time. The 2nd person attacks the ball - preventing an offload, the 3rd guy does the 'grapple'.

Type B (the more common but less effective, and shown in the below photos) involves only two players. The 1st defender makes a traditional 'ball-and-all' tackle, locking the ball up. The 2nd defender then tries to put all of his weight into twisting the attacker onto his back. Sometimes, it involves using a 'chokehold' where one arm is wrapped around the throat. However, this technique has been used in rugby league for years, and isn't a true grapple tackle. It only becomes a problem when a player uses the 'crushing' aspect outlined above, where he puts all of his weight onto the back of the attackers head/neck. This tackle is usually ignored by most referees, because it happens far quicker, and most attackers actually contribute to their own demise by looking to offload the ball.