How To Win Possession With An Effective Tackle

All footballers must be skillful defenders. This means that they should be able to tackle effectively, think ahead of the opposition and play intelligently so that their opponents make errors.

Those who defend well are good at reading the game and can foresee when an attack is being mounted. They can then get themselves into place so they can stop the play. Footballers should be taught how to tackle correctly.

We will cover the three principal kinds of tackle in this article. These are the block, side and sliding tackles. When you are teaching your players how to tackle, the block tackle makes a good starting point.

This is because it’s the simplest way to let players know that even hard tackles can be safe. With many of us Junior Soccer Coaches involved with young players, sometimes there’s a reluctance to tackle because of fear of injury.

The Block Tackle

This is a useful tackle when the attacker makes a direct run at the defender. It is particularly helpful near the penalty area where space is at a premium and it is essential to win and clear the ball.

If it is done properly, the block tackle will end an attack immediately and help the defender to have a chance of gaining possession of the ball. Defenders who want to win the ball have to stop the progress of the attack.

In order to do this a defender must go low and tackle so that the foot doesn’t just impede the ball, but goes through it. The position of players’ bodies says a lot about their attitude to tackling. Timid tacklers may hold their bodies upright and their shoulders may incline to the back, placing them away from the football.

In contrast, it would be correct for a player to lead with the shoulder opposite the tackling foot. Their center of gravity should be low and they should be willing to go through the ball.

The Side Block Tackle

If a defender is chasing after being beaten, then an efficient tackle is the side block manoeuvre. Although a sliding tackle can also help to take the ball from the attacking side, I have a preference for the block tackle as players stay upright for longer. Sliding is an alternative if the side block proves ineffective.

There are four aspects of the side block tackle:

1. The defender must chase the attacker to get to the attacker’s side.

2. Once in position, the defender should turn toward the attacker with the foot that’s closest and use their nearest shoulder, putting their body weight behind it.

3. Next, the defender has to crouch low, and turn on the foot that is next to the attacker.

4. Finally, the defender has to use the tackling leg, use the instep to hook the ball and finish the turn by hitting the ball hard.

Sometimes this type of tackle will allow the ball to get away, so you must emphasize that players should remain upright.. With luck, the break will favor their team, allowing them to start an attack. However, the ball may still break towards the attacker. If the defender is upright, they can chase, which they can’t do from the ground.

The Sliding Tackle

Good defenders remain on their feet, avoiding the ground unless it’s unavoidable. That’s because if they lose the ball and are on the ground, then they are not in play. Sometimes the only way to completely stop an attack is to use a sliding tackle. That’s why all players should know and practice this tackle. (This should only be done on soft ground or when players have the right clothing).

There are three main parts of a sliding tackle. These are the chase, slide and sweep.

1. The Chase – In the chase, the first defender runs after an attacker who is in clear space. The defender has to make a good run to catch up with and pass the attacker. The defender must also decide whether they will get past the ball with their nearest foot.

2. The Slide – If they can get past the ball with their leading leg and foot, it’s time to do the slide. In this move, the leg that’s closest to the ball, is bent and tucked beneath the tackler’s bottom. The defender uses the outer thigh to slide, keeping the body balance by placing the hand that’s on the same side as the bent leg on the pitch.

3. The Sweep – When the defender is on the ground, he should swing the leg wide, hooking the foot in the direction of the ball. The next move is to hook and trap the ball or kick it through. The best move is to get the ball, stand up and start to build a play.

Summary

So these are three types of tackle that you should include in a training session to make sure that your players are ready to handle anything that the opponents dish out. No matter how much you work on tackling, it is essential that your players know that they must also be determined to win the ball. This means they must summon their nerve, courage and enthusiasm when they attempt to take the ball. Determination is crucial to carry out the essential hard and fair tackle.

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