The perception is that kids are going into games thinking that because they have padding on, they're less likely to be injured, so they go into tackles harder and more aggressively. He added that amateur players were increasingly following professional players' example. Our research into tackling shows that many injuries are occurring in smother tackles and upper body tackles that are really collisions. Players can generate forces of between one third and a quarter of a tonne in these tackle situations. So if players are going into tackles feeling that they are 'invulnerable' because they're wearing padded clothing, they may adopt unsafe techniques and suffer more serious injuries.
Referees discourage the use of illegal or dangerous tackles by players.
Coaches, players and administrators commit themselves to the use of safe skills, particularly in tackling and being tackled. Manufacturers clearly state that their products are padding, not protection, and will not prevent serious injury. The Otago University research looked at a range of IRB-approved products available through sporting goods outlets. Tests were conducted that simulated impact force in tackling, using a padded weight dropped onto a fibreglass-reinforced mannequin wearing the product. The mannequin was mounted on a force plate which measured the size and duration of the impact force.