summer 2012

Tackling safe tacklingBY ERIC ANDRESWhether you like it or not, tackling isan integral part of quidditch. Styles ofplay may vary from region to region,but tackling still takes some form ineach. That form is important in that it muststay consistent throughout, no matter the levelof intensity the contact brings. Safe tacklingtechniques not only improve your tackling anddefensive success, but prevent unneeded injuriesfor both parties.The problem with safe tackling is that thereare a myriad of variables you have to take intoaccount when going in for the contact. Thefifth IQA rulebook does a generally good jobexplaining what not to do. As quoted from therulebook, a tackle is legal when:• The player being tackled is in possession ofa ball.• The tackle does not occur in the head, neck,or groin area.• Only one arm is used when wrapping up anotherplayer.• The tackle is within the peripheral view ofthe person being tackled, and is not madefrom behind.These guidelines present a player with a uniquestyle of tackling. The tackler must account forthe position of the ball, the proximity of headneck-groinzones, the sightline of the player,and how best to use only one arm to stop theirmomentum. Because of quidditch’s unique needfor a broom, certain accommodations must bemade. Here’s how:In order to initiate contact, your knees shouldbe bent and your hips low, with your back orspinal column straight. Getting low on youropponent will give you a pivot position to drivethem off their feet and backwards. The point ofa tackle is not only to arrest their momentum,but bring them to the ground to prevent furthermovement. Taking them out of their strideby tackling up will ensure this. Your back isflat; your vertebrae are locked in a straight line.To illustrate this in your minds, ponder this:What’s better to poke people with? A bendystraw with many kinks and turns in it, or oneof those straight and sturdy straws that BurgerKing uses for their thick milkshakes? Imagineyour spine as a rod that will safely transfer yourmomentum into your target. With the additionof having your head across, this will reduce thepossibility of spine compression while still usingit effectively. Anything else has the possibility toinjure you.Whether coming at the offender head-onor in their peripherals, the first step to includein your tackle is keeping your head in front oftheir momentum. You’ll hear coaches yell “headacross!” Positioning yourself in this manner willbetter set you up for a one-armed grab, safe headposition, and using the natural lines of your bodyto arrest their momentum. In conjunction withyour head, keep your broom in front of the attacker.Positioning your broom behind them willspread your base of stability, therefore reducingyour tackling strength.When teaching my players to tackle, I liketo use a square piece of cardboard that is bigenough to cover their shoulder, neck, and pectoralarea. I call this area “the board,” or the positionof your muscles into a flat space to initiatecontact. Your collarbone, trapezius muscle, andshoulder should form a flat plane that hits youropponent. Practice using a flat board to findthe right position for your arm and shoulder tomake the plane.With your head in front, make sure you’relooking up as well. You should be looking acrosstheir body at the point of contact. A good headplacement for quidditch is just below the offender’ssternum, or their solar plexus. Armplacement depends on what you’re able to do atthe time and the hand that the ball is in. If possible,wrap your arm under your head and acrosstheir body, paying attention to including theirthrowing arm in your wrap-up. This way the offensivechaser can maybe get a bad pass off intime before he’s taken down. If you’re comingfrom their own throwing side, throw your armunder your head and around their ribs, takingcommand of their torso in your tackle.Keeping your head and spine straight andbending only your knees and hips will ensure agood basis for a safe tackle. Remember to includeyour “board” with your head upright at thepoint of contact to follow through with the safetackle.Another instance in quidditch that requiressafe contact is the concept of charging. Charginginvolves full contact from a defender with“clear intent to gain possession of the ball.”The difference between tackling and chargingis the abovementioned “wrap.” Charging has adefender using their momentum to go throughthe ball-carrying player in order to dislodgethe ball or knock them into a different direction,as opposed to committing to use their armsand take the offender to the ground. Chargingis more common than tackling in many areas,as tackling is either not taught or taught safely.Per the rulebook, “A shoulder must not be lowered;however, shoulder-to-shoulder contactis permissible. Players must never charge frombehind.” This can be described as an aggressivepick, or a concentrated and physical effort to getin one’s way. To safely charge, you must still usethe “board” technique with your shoulder area,but take great care to only bend your knees andnot your back. Keeping your back upright willreduce the want to lower a shoulder into youropponent, thus keeping it legal. Lowering ashoulder into your opponent as this point isdangerous to them, as the point of contact couldseverely bruise muscle and possibly break bones.ALICIA RADFORD TACKLES A CHASER AT THECHAMPIONS SERIES. (PHOTO: EMILY ARROYAVE)Coach’s corner: USC Trojanscoach Mitch Cavender highlightssafe tackling in twomain points1. Always make sure your head is up sothat you can see what you’re tackling.If you go in with your head down,you not only run the risk of not seeingyour opponent move from hisoriginal position, but also run the riskof “spearing.” Spearing involves usingthe crown of one’s head to initiatecontact with an opponent. It can leadto injuries ranging from concussions,spinal cord issues, even leading toparalysis or death. Sliding your headto one side or the other helps preventspine compression.2. A lot of players try to do some sortof weird clothesline to the offensiveplayer’s midsection and try to throwthem down. Not only is this ineffective,but it puts severe stress on therotator cuff, which can cause shoulderdislocations. Players should be makingcontact with their shoulder/collarbone/traparea and using the arm towrap around the player’s back.Mitch alludes to a problem that I knowall too well about: poor tackling causingrotator cuff injuries. During World CupV in 2011, I caught Kansas’s keeper at anodd angle as he ran by me, resulting ina shoulder dislocation and torn labrumfor me. Mitch was at my side, helping mepop my shoulder back into its socket sothat I could get back into the game.A flat and even point of contact will spread theimpact energy in a safer manner.Teaching safe contact in quidditch is as importantas teaching your players how to throwand catch a ball. With a sport striving hard forlegitimacy, it is important to include all facetsof good sports conduct, including contact. Usingyour body to enhance the play of the game is agreat tool. But with great power comes great responsibility,and it is everyone’s responsibility tomake sure that no one has to spend unwarrantedtime in the hospital. n54 Quidditch Quarterly • Summer 2012