Photo : Mike Okombe being tackled by a Spanish apponent.
Tackling in rugby is a defensive action.
It consists of intercepting the player in possession of the ball and holding on to him or making him or her fall over (with one's arms) so that he releases the ball.
Players on the ground after a tackle (the tackler and the player who was in possession) must release the ball, move away from or it signal they do not possess the ball by raising their hands and may not rejoin play until they have got back to their feet.
It is against the rules to throw oneself on top of a tackled player who is in possession of or near the ball.