Abstract

This study investigates the tackling ability of players at the highest level of Spanish women’s rugby union and determines the relationship it may have with their physical and anthropometric characteristics. The study subjects were 17 players at the highest level in Spain and 12 júnior players who are in the Catalan High Performance group. Tackling efficiency was assessed using some established technical criteria. We also evaluated speed (10 m), reactive agility (RAT), leg power (vertical jump) and standard anthropometric measures. The high level players had a significantly better result (p  ≤  0.05) in tackling efficiency (70.6% vs. 50.4%). The high level players had significantly (p  ≤  0.05) more years of experience in rugby and a higher BMI. They were also faster over 10m and in the RAT. The only individual correlation of the variables studied with tackling ability was the years of experience in rugby union (r=0.73, p  ≤  0.01), and the only variable that contributed significantly (r²=0:52, p  ≤  0.01) to predicting tackling ability. We suggest that Spanish rugby union players improve their tackling efficiency through competitive experience and not due to their physical and anthropometric qualities analysed in this study. We suggest that the ability to make an effective tackle among high level players may depend on other factors not analysed in this study in addition to their years of experience. It should be borne in mind that the players are not professionals and therefore their physical condition is far from their full potential.