 | Hunter is the owner and director of Serious Soccer Youth Development. He is a former Technical Director of Soccer Nova Scotia, and has worked as a staff coach with the Canadian Soccer Associations National Training Centre. Played several years in the NSSL Premiership as a goalkeeper. Currently holds a Canadian Soccer Association National “B” Licence. Currently resides in Halifax, Nova Scotia. How to kick a soccer ball?
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| How To Slide Tackle |
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The Desperation Tackle
The defender has been beaten and is out of the play. The opponent is breaking in towards the goal in a threatening way. As the opponent prepares to shoot, cross, pass or dribble, the defender has one last ditch effort to try and stop the play. | |
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| The defender must recover quickly, and get as close to the opponent as possible. Ideally the defender should try to get slightly ahead of the opponent. |
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| The defender should picture a target (X) slightly ahead of the ball. At the last possible moment, the defender steps in towards the ball with the closest leg (in this case, the right leg). If the opponent is pulling away, the defender may have to slide and stretch in order to reach the target (X). |
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| As the defender slides, he should kick back with the right leg. Contact should be made with the laces on the backside of the ball. This will ensure that the player does not miss the ball and hit the opponent, which would result in a foul. In a lot of cases the opponent will actually dribble into the tackle. |
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| If executed properly the ball will travel backwards in the opposite direction. In the worst case scenario, the ball will travel out of bounds for a throw in or corner kick. After the tackle the defender should get back to his feet as quickly as possible. |
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Warning!!!
Make sure you are at least slightly ahead of the opponent before trying to tackle. Tackling from behind can cause serious injuries and should be avoided at all times. It is a cardable offense. |
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Common Error
Avoid tackling with the back leg if possible for the following reasons:
1) Too far away and you are more likely to mis-time the tackle and foul the opponent.
2) If opponent falls on your leg, you could sustain a knee injury.
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Warning!!!
Do not tackle with your studs up. It is a foul and can result in a yellow or red card. It will also make it difficult to control the direction of the ball once contact is made.
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Tackling To Win Possession
The defender is slightly out off position but is able to get a better angle on the opponent. In this situation the defender should attempt to tackle with the intention of not only eliminating the threat, but to also win possession of the ball and launch a counter attack. |
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| The defender angles in on the opponent, ensuring that the opponent will not be able to run past him. |
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| Again the tackle is started with the foot closest to the ball (in this case, the right leg). The defender should picture a target slightly ahead of the ball. |
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| The defender then stacks the other leg on top of the first. If done properly the ball should become wedged between the legs or feet. |
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| The opponents momentum will then carry him past the defender, leaving the ball behind. |
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| The defender must then get to his feet as quickly as possible and launch the counter attack. |
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Common Error
Do not prop yourself up on the elbow when tackling. This will expose the head to possible collisions with the opponents knees. Get the head down close to the ground to be safe.
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Common Error
Be careful not to have the feet too close. This will allow the ball to roll over the barrier.
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Common Error
When tackling to gain possession, do not kick with the legs. This will cause the ball to rebound too far away from the defender to keep possession.
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Past Articles By This Coach: |
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