What is the community tackle height law in England, and how is it sanctioned?

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The law: in English community rugby, tackles must be made below the base of the sternum (the belly or below). The RFU says that since 1 July 2023, any match played between Community, Championship or PWR level clubs must use this Domestic Law Variation (DLV) tackle height. The RFU's coaching message to players is "target the belly or target the thighs". How it sits in the 2026 Laws: Law 14.1: tacklers must tackle below the relevant high tackle sanction line, which is the shoulder line in elite rugby and the waist or base of the sternum in community rugby (England uses the base of the sternum). Law 14.5a: tacklers must tackle below the relevant sanction line. Sanction: penalty. Law 9.13 (dangerous tackling, foul play): tackling or attempting to tackle above the sanction line while either player is in open field play, or any tackle that leads to head contact, is dangerous tackling. Sanction: penalty, and as foul play you must also decide whether to caution, yellow card or send off. What the RFU says: any tackle above the base of the sternum may be liable for sanction. Tacklers must still use their arms, and only the ball carrier can be tackled. The same height (below the base of the sternum) applies throughout RFU age grade rugby from Under 9 to Under 18, written into the Rules of Play.