How did lowering tackle height affect rugby concussion rates?

Lowering tackle height means rugby players hit lower on their opponent’s body, and it helped reduce head injuries, like concussions.

Imagine you're playing a game where you run into your friend to stop them. If you bump them right in the chest or waist, they might stumble but won’t get dizzy. That's like lower tackle height, hitting lower on their body.

But if you hit them high on the shoulder or neck, it can cause their head to snap back quickly, sometimes leading to a concussion, which is like a little shock to the brain that makes it hard to think clearly for a while.

In rugby, players used to tackle by grabbing the shoulders and hitting high. This caused many concussions, especially in younger players.

Now, coaches tell players to lower their tackle height, to hit lower on the body, like near the waist or chest. This makes the impact gentler on the head, so it’s less likely for a player to get a concussion.

It's like wearing a helmet when you ride your bike, it helps protect your brain from shocks!