Skills – Sliding Tackle
The sliding tackle or defensive tackle is an essential facet of a soccer player’s technique. All players need to be able to tackle as it is a quick and reliable way of recovering the ball from the opposition.
Ideally, you should tackle with the foot that is furthest away from the ball. Try to approach your opponent from the side rather than from the front as this gives you extra reach and reduces the chance of giving away a foul. Never attempt a tackle from behind as this is illegal, will earn you a caution and can hurt your opponent seriously.
A successful sliding tackle requires good timing and technique – your timing will improve with practice. The key to execute a sliding tackle successfully is to watch the ball carefully and try to anticipate your opponent’s next move.
You can practice sliding on your own until you feel confident enough to attempt it against another player. A useful practice drill for honing your sliding skills is to have a teammate run down the line with the ball ahead of you as you try to catch up to them, slide in, and get the ball into touch.
