Since October 5, **World Rugby** has issued a new directive regarding a specific type of tackle in rugby, where a defender places a knee on the ground before making contact with the ball carrier. The organization highlights that this technique can increase the risk of injury for both the tackler and the player being tackled. When a defender lowers their knee before contact, their head is at a very low position, and the ball carrier might collide with a defender who is already "anchored" on the ground. According to Rule 13.3c, a player who is on the ground cannot tackle or attempt to tackle an opponent. Referees are now instructed to penalize players who place a knee on the ground before making a tackle. The main challenge lies in the timing of the action. World Rugby clarifies that if a defender touches the ground at the same time as making the tackle, it is not automatically a violation, as long as the tackle is not dangerous. The critical factor is whether the knee was already on the ground before contact or if the defender touched the ground at the same moment as the tackle. In the first case, the tackler is off balance, which could increase the risk of injury, while in the second, the tackle may still be considered legal. This distinction has sparked discussions among rugby players, coaches, and referees. On Reddit, a user named u/Dupont_or_Dupond, who is part of a group of referees, mentioned that the topic had recently been discussed. He noted that in France, especially at the amateur level, many tackles involve defenders lowering themselves to target below the waist. The French Rugby Federation (FFR) explains that this type of tackle has been part of amateur competitions since the 2019-2020 season, including in the Fédérale 2 league. Applying this directive in practice can be challenging. When facing a compact prop who lowers onto their feet, a tall defender must bend significantly to target below the waist, bringing their knee close to the ground. If the knee was already on the ground before the tackle, the action becomes sanctionable. The key to enforcement is the timing of the action, rather than just the final position of the defender. World Rugby has not introduced a completely new rule but has emphasized the application of existing regulations. The directive refers to Rule 13, which prohibits players on the ground from initiating tackles, as well as Rules 9.11 and 9.13, which address dangerous play. The goal is to ensure that the principle of not allowing a player on the ground to make a tackle is more clearly enforced. For amateur clubs, the change mainly affects training, where coaches must continue teaching players to target low while maintaining balance until contact. Referees are being asked to focus on the timing of the tackle rather than just the final position of the defender’s knee.