Measuring tackle and ruck technique in rugby union

dc.contributor.advisorLambert, Michael
dc.contributor.advisorHendricks, Sharief
dc.contributor.authorden Hollander, Stefanus
dc.date.accessioned2021-01-22T07:23:28Z
dc.date.available2021-01-22T07:23:28Z
dc.date.issued2020
dc.date.updated2021-01-22T06:13:38Z
dc.description.abstractBackground: Developing tackle and ruck technique is important to improve performance in matches and reduce the risk of injury. Little is known regarding valid tools to assess tackle and ruck technique in rugby union. The aims of this thesis were (1) to assess the validity and representativeness of the contact assessment tool, and (2) to identify factors which may affect the degree to which contact technique developed in training transfers to matches. Methods: Tackle, ball-carry and ruck technique of players competing at different levels of play were assessed in a two-on-two training drill using standardised technical criteria. Technique scores between levels of play were compared to assess the validity of the contact assessment tool, and contact technique scores assessed in training and matches were compared to assess the representativeness of the tool. Physical qualities and questionnaire data on the importance of technique to improve performance and reduce injuries were compared to contact technique scores assessed in training, to determine the effect of physical conditioning and player's knowledge on contact technique proficiency. Finally, tackle and ruck technique scores assessed in training and matches were compared to measures of match performance and contact related injuries. Results: Senior players scored significantly higher in the tackle, ball-carrier and ruck assessment than academy 1st and 2nd level players, demonstrating the good construct validity of the assessment tool. Contact technique scores were associated with performance outcomes in training and in matches, although technique scores in matches were lower than technique scores in training. There were no significant relationships between player's knowledge of the importance of contact technique and their contact technique proficiency. There were moderate to large associations between various physical qualities and tackle, ball-carry and ruck technique scores assessed in training. Players with better contact technique in matches performed better in matches, however, there were no meaningful correlations between contact technique in training and match performance or match related contact injuries. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate the validity of a tool to assess contact technique in rugby union with good representative learning design, however progressing the drill into less structured environments is recommended to further improve the representativeness of the assessment environment. Furthermore, the findings highlight the importance of contact skill training and physical conditioning to ensure skills developed in training are transferred to match performance.
dc.identifier.apacitationden Hollander, S. (2020). <i>Measuring tackle and ruck technique in rugby union</i>. (). ,Faculty of Health Sciences ,Department of Human Biology. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/11427/32648en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationden Hollander, Stefanus. <i>"Measuring tackle and ruck technique in rugby union."</i> ., ,Faculty of Health Sciences ,Department of Human Biology, 2020. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/32648en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationden Hollander, S. 2020. Measuring tackle and ruck technique in rugby union. . ,Faculty of Health Sciences ,Department of Human Biology. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/32648en_ZA
dc.identifier.ris TY - Doctoral Thesis AU - den Hollander, Stefanus AB - Background: Developing tackle and ruck technique is important to improve performance in matches and reduce the risk of injury. Little is known regarding valid tools to assess tackle and ruck technique in rugby union. The aims of this thesis were (1) to assess the validity and representativeness of the contact assessment tool, and (2) to identify factors which may affect the degree to which contact technique developed in training transfers to matches. Methods: Tackle, ball-carry and ruck technique of players competing at different levels of play were assessed in a two-on-two training drill using standardised technical criteria. Technique scores between levels of play were compared to assess the validity of the contact assessment tool, and contact technique scores assessed in training and matches were compared to assess the representativeness of the tool. Physical qualities and questionnaire data on the importance of technique to improve performance and reduce injuries were compared to contact technique scores assessed in training, to determine the effect of physical conditioning and player's knowledge on contact technique proficiency. Finally, tackle and ruck technique scores assessed in training and matches were compared to measures of match performance and contact related injuries. Results: Senior players scored significantly higher in the tackle, ball-carrier and ruck assessment than academy 1st and 2nd level players, demonstrating the good construct validity of the assessment tool. Contact technique scores were associated with performance outcomes in training and in matches, although technique scores in matches were lower than technique scores in training. There were no significant relationships between player's knowledge of the importance of contact technique and their contact technique proficiency. There were moderate to large associations between various physical qualities and tackle, ball-carry and ruck technique scores assessed in training. Players with better contact technique in matches performed better in matches, however, there were no meaningful correlations between contact technique in training and match performance or match related contact injuries. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate the validity of a tool to assess contact technique in rugby union with good representative learning design, however progressing the drill into less structured environments is recommended to further improve the representativeness of the assessment environment. Furthermore, the findings highlight the importance of contact skill training and physical conditioning to ensure skills developed in training are transferred to match performance. DA - 2020_ DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town KW - Exercise Science and Sports Medicine LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PY - 2020 T1 - Measuring tackle and ruck technique in rugby union TI - Measuring tackle and ruck technique in rugby union UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/32648 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/32648
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationden Hollander S. Measuring tackle and ruck technique in rugby union. []. ,Faculty of Health Sciences ,Department of Human Biology, 2020 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/32648en_ZA
dc.language.rfc3066eng
dc.publisher.departmentDepartment of Human Biology
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Health Sciences
dc.subjectExercise Science and Sports Medicine
dc.titleMeasuring tackle and ruck technique in rugby union
dc.typeDoctoral Thesis
dc.type.qualificationlevelDoctoral
dc.type.qualificationlevelPhD
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