Jun 7, 2016Rutgers’ Ash Promotes Rugby Tackling
Like many who are involved with the game of football, Rutgers University Head Coach Chris Ash is determined to make the game safer for the players. That’s why he was recently in Philadelphia, serving as the keynote speaker at a tackle clinic being held in conjunction with the College Rugby Championships.
As reported by NJ.com, Ash is a disciple of the rugby-style tackling method championed by, among others, Seattle Seahawks Head Coach Pete Carroll. This spring, he overhauled the Scarlet Knights’ tackling philosophy, and last week, he worked at a hands-on clinic where he taught the rugby-style method to youth football players.
“Why do I speak about rugby-style tackling? Because I want to promote the game of football,” he said. “The game of football right now is under attack because of all the concussion issues that have been brought up. I want people to know this is still a great game, it’s a safe game, we can teach it better to be safer and more effective.”
Ash spoke at the event after being asked by a Seattle-based company called Atavus, which strives to provide a comprehensive tackling system for players across the country.
“At the end of the day we believe that everyone, whether it’s a head coach, an athletic director, an administrator, a parent or players alike, should be asking the same question — are my coaches rugby-tackle trained,” said Atavus President Ron Lloyd. “To me that is our goal; that is our vision; that is what coaches like Coach Ash are committed to helping.”
