Let me tell you about a crucial defending skill in soccer called the slide tackle. As the name implies, it is a tackle done while sliding – the defender slides to make a tackle that robs the attacker or the striker he’s chasing down of the ball.
I played as a defensive midfielder in my high school and college days, and this was a tackle that I had to master. It’s a very dramatic way of defending that makes the match-going crowd go wild because of how easy it is to mess up.
Here, I will help you discover the art of slide tackle, how to do it, and everything else that makes it a high-level defensive skill in soccer.
What is a Slide Tackle in Soccer?
As a DM in high school and college, I wasn’t required to be the fastest player. However, I had to be one of the most alert on the field.
Opponents still got past me, though. I’m human, after all.
But one thing that helped a lot was my ability to time a slide tackle and execute it effectively.
What I did was be hyper-aware of when I was about to lose a duel or when I would be blitzed past. Then, I timed my run and slid across the ground with one leg extended to stop the attack from progressing.
Whenever I did this, I would either get the ball back in a turnover, send the ball out of play to help my team recuperate, or kill the momentum of the attack to allow my teammates to recover in defense.
A slide tackle comes in handy when a player is at a disadvantage and wants to get the ball away from the opponent.
It is an aggressive but legal way to challenge the ball, as long as it is done within the confines of the rules of soccer.
As I stated in the earlier parts of this article, a slide tackle could easily lead to repercussions. This could be a foul or an injury to one or both players.
A poorly timed slide tackle has these repercussions.
How Do You Time a Slide Tackle in Soccer?
Timing a slide tackle is not an easy feat.
You may feel you’ve gained enough ground on the attacker to slide up on them to stop the attack, but they may be cleverer than you.
While playing, I had many misses when I attempted to slide tackle some opponents. They would anticipate my tackle just as I would anticipate their movements and dink the ball over my outstretched legs while jumping over me to push forward.
Some of them would purposely take the opportunity to win fouls that sometimes ended in me getting a yellow card from the referee, which halved my defensive powers – a yellow card is a warning to be careful or you’ll be asked to leave the soccer field entirely, reducing the number of players on your team.
If you’re a soccer player, here’s how to time a slide tackle to perfection.
Read the Game
Anticipate the opponent’s movement, and don’t be flustered by their trickery. Being observant is key when trying to figure out how the gameplay will pan out.
Get Into the Right Positions
Always place yourself in zones where the attack passes through so that you will not have to cover too much ground before sliding.
Covering too much ground can throw your tackle off, leading to fouls, yellow cards, or worse, injuries—more on this in the coming sections.
Wait for the Right Moment
Look at when the opponent wants to pass, shoot, or dribble and slide
Commit
Many failed slide tackles are a result of the defender not committing to the tackle. If your opponents smell fear, you’re in trouble.
Approach from the right angle
Making a tackle from the side or slightly behind the opponent is generally more effective and safer.
Does It Hurt to Slide Tackle in Soccer?
Yes, it does. But it depends on a few factors.
Playing on artificial grass (turfs) can bruise a soccer player easily. Imagine one who has to slide tackle opponents often.
If the soccer field has unkempt grass too, it can also be equally as painful. This is why professional clubs and even D-1 and D-II colleges have dedicated groundsmen to cater to their fields.
Here are some of the reasons why and how slide tackles can hurt the performer.
- Playing Surface: Natural grass is generally softer and more forgiving than artificial turf or hard ground, reducing the likelihood of abrasions and bruises.
- Protective Gear: Players who like attempting slide tackles usually wear the appropriate gear, such as shin guards and long socks, to reduce some of the impact.
- Impact: Even when a successful slide tackle is done, unplanned collisions can cause pain and injuries. Some of these impacts can lead to even long-term injuries.
In summary, while slide tackles can be painful, the discomfort can be minimized with proper technique and appropriate protective measures.
What is an Illegal Slide Tackle?
The concept of legality means that illegality exists.
Slide tackles can be illegal, too.
As I stated earlier, match-going crowds celebrate successful slide tackles like they celebrate goals because of how easy it is to mess up. It is a very high-level defensive skill.
An illegal slide tackle endangers all parties involved. They are penalized to protect players’ safety. Here’s what constitutes one.
- Contact Before the Ball: Mistiming your slide tackle leads to contact with the opponent instead of the ball. That’s a foul which is usually penalized by the referees.
- Two-Footed Challenge: This particular slide tackle is considered dangerous because it can result in severe penalties, including red cards.
- From Behind: Tackling an opponent from behind is generally considered dangerous and illegal. Even if you win the ball, it is usually penalized by the referee.
Here are some famous terrible slide tackles in soccer history.
Paul Gascoigne on Gary Charles (1991)
The wild slide tackle changed the maestro midfielder’s career. The lunge, during the FA Cup final, ruptured the Tottenham player’s knee ligaments as Charles hobbled away. Unfortunately, Paul received no booking, though it should have been a straight red.
Ryan Shawcross on Aaron Ramsey (2010)
Shawcross inflicted a double fracture on Ramsey, a failed slide tackle that left the Arsenal midfielder out of action for a year. Shawcross was only suspended for three games.
How to Slide Tackle in Soccer Without Getting Hurt
As earlier touched on above, the steps before attempting a slide tackle are far more important than the commitment itself.
Wearing the right gear, paying attention on the field, the approach, decision-making, and commitment have to be spot on in order not to fail.
Never forget to pay attention to the playing surface, This is very crucial. Players tend to suffer bruises when they attempt slide tackles on artificial turfs rather than on natural grass pitches.
If you’re a budding soccer player, take a cue from Aaron Wan-Bissaka. The Englishman is known for his strength in 1-v-1 situations and his ability to use the slide tackle to perfection.
Although there are times when it has failed, the success rate is the reason why he keeps attempting it and helping his club defend against the best wingers in the world.
Spanish football great Sergio Ramos is another player who uses the slide tackle to near perfection. He is often considered a master of this skill and has been for the better part of the past two decades in soccer.
Like me, he played DM, where he learned this invaluable skill. Then he moved to right back and then to centerback, where he made his name.
He is also a lesson on how not to use the slide tackle because he has been sent off more than any player in the sport for missed slide tackles.
At What Age Can You Slide Tackle in Soccer?
Considering how difficult and dangerous the skill is to pull off, many youth coaches usually advise their young players against it.
In the developmental stage of a soccer player, they are taught other defensive tactics like timing, marking, shadowing and so on. Kids tend to get injured a lot or injure one another attempting slide tackles.
At the youth soccer stage, it is all about understanding the laws of the game and safety at that point.
When they get past the under-9 stage, they can start learning the fundamentals of the slide tackle because, at this time, their understanding of the game should have improved.
At under-12 and under-15 levels, they are encouraged to use this skill more by their coaches, who tend to encourage this more because, at this stage, they are edging closer to professional soccer life.
So, this is a skill that must be introduced gradually to youth soccer players before they become masters of it. Introducing slide tackling at an appropriate age and with proper instruction ensures that young players develop the skill safely and effectively.
Can a Player Slide Tackle in Indoor Soccer?
Let me tell you something: Slide tackles can be addictive.
They have a high success rate but there is always foreboding before it is attempted and when it is attempted.
Ramos enjoyed slide tackling so much that it became his go-to tackling style, which led to him racking up a world-record number of red cards in soccer history.
Pliers who started on outdoor surfaces can forget themselves when they get into the indoor soccer space where this is prohibited – yes, there is a ban on this tackle in indoor soccer.
Some of the reasons why this skill is prohibited include;
Playing Surface: Because of the nature of the surfaces such as (artificial turf, wood, or rubber). Most of the time, these surfaces can cause players to be injured when they slide, so many of them do not bother to do so.
Tight Space: Indoor soccer is not as spacious as a big soccer pitch. Therefore, players usually doubt applying the skill because of the lack of space, which is quite understandable.
Rules: Most indoor soccer leagues have specific rules that prohibit slide tackling to ensure player safety. Violations can result in fouls, penalties, or even ejections from the game.
Based on the above, it is clear that the prohibition of slide tackling in indoor soccer is primarily for safety reasons, ensuring that the game remains fast-paced and enjoyable without unnecessary risk of injury.
However, there are so many instances whereby defenders have done that to protect their goal, block a shot, and many more.
Final Thoughts
The slide tackle is a vital and exciting component of soccer. It allows defenders to disrupt opponents, win possession back, or clear to safety.
Now that you know about this ultra-instinct defensive skill, you can take some of the lessons from this piece and improve your sliding tackle skills.
