Stiff-arm fend

Ball-carriers in Australian football must be careful to avoid fending opponents in the head or neck, otherwise they will concede a high tackle free kick.

In rugby, a stiff-arm tackle (i.e. locked elbow and extended arm prior to making contact with the attacker) is dangerous play.

Also the majority of tacklers in open space tend to chase and tackle from behind the ball carrier and strong front on contact is discouraged.

There is no statistic for stiff-arm fends in Australian rules, however they are counted as broken tackles and are most commonly performed by mid-fielders and forwards.

Historically backs would not risk their opponent getting a kick at goal from holding the ball but increasing forward pressure and professionalism has seen more players across the whole field become competent in the skill.

This peculiar style of passing is really a treat to witness, and we may well say that Coulthard is unequalled at it, being a custom almost his own.Some of the best modern exponents of the don't argue include Dustin Martin,[4] Harley Reid,[5] Sam Powell-Pepper,[6] Lance Franklin,[7] Barry Hall,[8] Fraser Gehrig,[2] Michael Conlon,[2] Jason Johnson,[2] Nathan Jones, Ben Cunnington[9][10] Gary Ablett Snr and Gary Ablett Jnr.

[11] Some notable players to use the stiff arm are Walter Payton, Earl Campbell, Derrick Henry, Adrian Peterson and Marshawn Lynch.