Yes. When I played in the late 50s, you tackled by putting your shoulder into the runner, ideally around the hips/thighs. Head in front of the runner.
We couldn’t use our hands blocking either.
For me it probably was 1966 or 1967 that I played LL football. Played in junior high & high school, too small & too academic oriented for college. Played rugby in undergrad & grad school and a number of years after for a local club team. I loved rugby still love football but in many ways rugby is the superior and believe it or not safer game.