Tackle Success Calculator
Tackle success is the share of attempted tackles a player completes. Enter tackles made and tackles missed.
Calculate tackle success
Fill in the fields and select Calculate.
What you'll need
To use the tackle success calculator, have these figures ready:
- Tackles made — for example, 18.
- Tackles missed — for example, 2.
The calculator then returns the tackle success the moment you press calculate.
How it works
Tackle success = tackles made ÷ (made + missed) × 100
You enter the tackles made and tackles missed, and the calculator returns the tackle success using the formula above.
When to Use
Use the rugby tackle success calculator to evaluate a player's defensive effectiveness. Tackle success rate measures the proportion of attempted tackles that are completed successfully. It is a core defensive metric used by coaches to evaluate forwards and backs alike, and by analysts to compare defensive performance across teams.
What the result tells you
Defences live and die on completed tackles, so a rate around 90 percent is the standard expected of a Test forward. Missed tackles concede metres and momentum, which is why a single low figure in a key position can explain how a team leaked points.
Benchmarks & Interpretation
Here is how typical results are categorized and interpreted:
| Value / Range | Rating | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Below 80% | Poor | Too many missed tackles. Technical and positioning work needed. |
| 80 – 85% | Below average | Some missed tackles that could cost the team. |
| 85 – 90% | Average | A standard tackle success rate for professional rugby. |
| 90 – 95% | Good | A reliable tackler who rarely misses. |
| 95%+ | Excellent | Outstanding defensive reliability. Among the best tacklers in the team. |
Pro Tips & Advice
Improving tackle success starts with technique. Focus on getting into a low body position, driving through with your shoulder, and wrapping your arms around the ball carrier's legs. Watch your foot positioning — your lead foot should be close to the attacker's feet to ensure a solid connection. Practise tackle technique in controlled drills before applying it at full contact. Anticipating the ball carrier's direction by reading their hips (not their feet or the ball) also helps. Fitness matters because fatigue leads to missed tackles in the final quarter of matches.
Step by step
- Enter the tackles made.
- Enter the tackles missed.
- Select Calculate to read the tackle success.
Worked example
18 tackles made and 2 missed is 18 ÷ 20 × 100, which is 90 percent.
Frequently asked questions
How is the tackle success worked out?
Tackle success = tackles made ÷ (made + missed) × 100. Tackle success is the share of attempted tackles a player completes. Enter tackles made and tackles missed.
What tackle success is expected?
Around 85 to 90 percent is the benchmark at the top level. Forwards who make many tackles a game are judged on keeping that rate high.
Which position makes the most tackles in rugby?
Flankers (openside and blindside) and the number 8 typically make the most tackles because they are at the heart of the defensive line. In some teams, inside centres also rank high for tackles due to their defensive role in the midfield channel.
Is tackle success the only defensive metric that matters?
No. Dominant tackles (tackles where you drive the attacker backward), turnovers won at the tackle, and tackle completion in different areas of the pitch all add context. A tackle that prevents a line break is more valuable than one made 30 metres from the try line.
How accurate is the Tackle Success Calculator?
The tool applies the standard formula exactly, so the result is only as accurate as the figures you enter. Double check your inputs, since a wrong number going in gives a wrong number coming out.
Is the Tackle Success Calculator free to use?
Yes. Every tool on GamersZone is free, with no account and no limit on how many times you calculate. The maths runs in your browser, so the numbers you enter are never sent to a server or stored.
How we calculate this
This tool applies the standard formula shown above. The calculation runs entirely in your browser, so the figures you enter are never stored.