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Tackling Tackling refers to the skill of using your feet to take the ball away from an opponent. A truly successful team must be built on sound defensive abilities. As such, the ability to track, close down and tackle an opponent is a key to success for any team.   Whatever the position or role of a player on the pitch, the ability to tackle and win possession of the ball is vital. Defending is one of the least glamorous jobs on the pitch. However, any football purist will appreciate a perfectly timed tackle as much as any other game technique.   As with all other football techniques, mental aspects play an important role in successful tackling. A player must be 100 percent committed and determined to win the ball, while always keeping a cool head. A player should never deliberately try to hurt an opponent. Halfhearted challenges will not only lead to failure to win possession but also increase the risk of injury. Similarly, high levels of concentration and composure are needed as well as strength for good tackling. Good technique can help compensate for players who are weaker in other areas. A player must be able to anticipate the attacker's actions and recognize the right moment to tackle. A player must also know which tackling technique to choose, depending on the position and movement of the attacker. This will be developed through practice and game situations.     Athlete Readiness The beginner player will usually chase the ball or an approaching opponent and make some kind of effort to kick the ball away. The player is either tentative and may fear making tackles or is somewhat out of control and makes contact with just about everything, except the ball.   The intermediate player can successfully focus, track and close down on opponents dribbling the ball. The player has the coordination to make good, strong contact on the ball, using the inside of the foot. However, this player will often fall for fakes from the attacking player.     Teaching Tackling     When an opponent has the ball, instruct the player to move quickly to close the distance to that player. As you near the player, slow down and concentrate. Focus attention on the ball, not on the opponent's body. Tackling (Dartfish) Key Words Go To The Ball Do Not Let Them Dribble When you see an opportunity to get the ball, make a firm strike with the inside of the foot. Get your weight behind the tackle. Do not reach in. Key Words See Your Foot Strike The Ball Be alert after you make contact. The ball will often run loose. Be ready to pursue it and gain possession. Counterattack quickly. Key Words Make Contact — Then Make It Yours!   Major Types of Tackles Front Block Tackle Side Block Tackle Ground Block Tackle Sliding Tackle   To win ball possession, all players, including forwards, need to be able to correctly execute these different tackling techniques. Players who do not tackle correctly will give away free kicks, increase their chances of getting hurt and generally improve their opponents attacking chances.     Front Block Tackle When a defender meets an attacker head-on and with his body square to the ball, a player makes forceful contact with the inside of his boot, often at the same time as his opponent. The defender needs a sound base where his weight is transferred over and through the ball. The supporting foot must be next to the ball. The upper body must lean into the tackle, and the whole body works through the action. Steady and even pressure is applied, using the tensed-up leg muscles.   Coaching Tips Keep eye on ball. Upper body weight forward. Coordinate body movement. Apply maximum force, aiming to block the ball, rather than kick it.     Side Block Tackle Use this tackle when an attacker has partially gone past a defender or when the defender tries to close down an attempted angled pass. This technique requires good balance, due to the block being made with an outstretched leg. The outstretched leg needs to be tensed to make strong contact with the ball. A stable base is required to quickly carry out the action. Finally, the overall timing is very important.   Coaching Tips Keep eye on ball. Teach athletes to not sell themselves as the attacker. Feint to shoot or pass. Try to touch shoulder to shoulder before tackling, as this can help reduce the risk of tackling too far away and letting the ball pass by the players leg.     Ground Block Tackle If the attacker is in space and the block or side tackle cannot be used, the ground tackle is a useful technique. The defender  "throws" him/herself into the ball to stop the attacker from going past. However, the defender stays on their feet as long as possible. The player accelerates into the action by dropping their hips, allowing the body to go quickly to the ground. Their contact leg is slightly flexed and as tense as possible and body weight is as far forward as possible to provide an overall firm contact. The heel of the contact leg can be anchored or pressed on the pitch to increase rigidity.   Coaching Tips Keep eye on ball. Be patient. Use this tackle only as a last resort once the action is executed, and the defender is momentarily out of the game. Aim to execute the tackle and get back on your feet as quickly as possible.     Sliding Tackle This is probably the most exciting tackle. The defender uses this particular technique as a last resort to prevent the attacker from getting past him. To execute this action, the defender slides on the ground into the ball and plays it, using his outside leg. This action is particularly useful if the ball is next to the touchline where it can be played out into touch. The slide tackle can also be used as a means of winning the ball and turning defense into attack. The defender slides in a low sideways position and brings the tackling leg backward and swings it at the ball. The player attempts to trap the ball to gain possession, however, if the situation is dangerous, they player may want to try and play the ball directly into touch.   Coaching Tips — Similar to Ground Block Tackle To develop and improve tackling technique, the coach will have to design simple practices which involve repeated one-on-one situations where a defender is encouraged to utilize a wide range of tackling techniques as mentioned above. The coach must also be prepared to personally demonstrate tackling technique where necessary.

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