What makes a hand tackle illegal?
Contact and safety · Rule 10.21.2
A hand tackle is illegal if the opponent lacks possession or shares it, if contact is not one open hand to the back, upper arm or side, if it endangers the player, or if it strikes or pulls back a throwing arm from the side or behind during a throw.
How it works
A hand tackle is illegal if the opponent lacks possession or shares it, if contact is not one open hand to the back, upper arm or side, if it endangers the player, or if it strikes or pulls back a throwing arm from the side or behind during a throw. Keep hand contact safe, open and limited to a sole ball carrier.
In a game
A defender pushes a player whose teammate also holds the ball; the referee penalises it.
Remember
Keep hand contact safe, open and limited to a sole ball carrier.