Intermediate Soccer Tackles

INTERMEDIATE SOCCER TACKLES

Intermediate soccer tackles range from the split-leg tackle to the poke tackle, the side tackle, the shoulder tackle, and others. After learning the proper techniques associated with 1 v.1 defending and with the front block tackle, players may be exposed to these other types of tackles. The highest-level tackle, the slide tackle, is addressed in the Advanced Tackling article.

At this point, it is extremely important that coaches address the general concepts of tackling, as well as the associated rules, before teaching the intermediate tackles. See Soccer Tackling in Context.

As with all instruction and drill in ball skills, proper demonstration and service is critical.

Review of the Front Block Tackle

Before introducing the intermediate tackles, perform a quick review of the front block tackle. In a front block tackle, a defender meets an opponent face-on in order to contact the ball between the insides of their feet and then win the ball. Most of the time, the tackle is made with the “back” or “trailing” foot. Weight is on the “front” or leading foot. The ball is captured with both players standing upright. One foot remains on the ground and the other is used to contact the ball. As with all skills, players need to learn to tackle with either foot.

Front Block Tackle Demonstration/Drill

Two players, one attacker, one defender. Attacker has the ball. Attacker is a “willing participant” for tackling instruction to the defender. Attacker and defender set up approximately 10-yards apart. Attacker dribbles toward defender at half speed. Defender sets an appropriate defensive position and stance. Defender moves in for a front-block tackle. Stress concentration on the ball and timing. Ensure that players stay upright. Practice tackling with the right and then the left foot. Switch positions.

Split-Leg Tackle

The split-leg tackle is a modified version of the front block tackle. Unlike the front block tackle, which occurs at the base of both players feet while they are face-on and upright, the split-leg tackle is performed with the defender stretching out one leg to the side. Contact is still made to block the ball, on the ground, with the inside of the foot. The non-tackling foot and knee may wind up on the ground. The split-leg tackle is most often used when the dribbler makes a sudden move to one side just as the defender is arriving for a front block tackle.

Soccer Split Leg Tackle

Split-Leg Tackle Demonstration/Drill

Two players, one attacker, one defender. Attacker has the ball. Attacker is a “willing participant” for tackling instruction to the defender. Attacker and defender set up approximately 20-yards apart. Attacker dribbles toward defender at half speed. Defender sets an appropriate defensive position and stance. Defender moves in for a front-block tackle. At the moment before the tackle, the attacker pushes the ball to one side. The defender makes a split-leg tackle to block the ball. A move to the left by the attacker causes a block with the right foot by the defender. A move to the right by the attacker causes a block with the left foot by the defender. Pick up the pace slightly. Alternate feet. Alternate positions.

Poke Tackles

The poke tackle is usually performed in one of two situations: 1.) when players are facing each other; or, 2.) when players are running alongside each other. In either case, the tackle involves the defender striking the ball with the toe of their foot to “poke” the ball away from their opponent. This is an “opportunistic” type of tackle, presented when the dribbler kicks the ball slightly too far ahead or to the side to maintain complete control.

The tackler strikes the ball with the “back” or “trail” foot and needs to make strong-enough contact with the ball to ensure that it goes out of reach of the dribbler. The leg is extended quickly and forcefully from the hip and the knee and the foot is down with the ankle locked. If possible, the ball should be directed toward a teammate. Otherwise, it can be sent out of bounds or, with a little luck, actually retrieved by the tackler. Especially near the goal, it is critical that the ball does not get kicked back into the dribbler.

There is a third type of unique poke tackle that is performed from behind. This usually involves two defenders. The opportunity for this tackle arises when the dribbler is already engaged by a facing defender and a defensive teammate is able to approach from the back undetected. The player coming in from behind makes the poke tackle such that the ball is actually sent to the facing defender. This can be done from the side or even between the legs. (A defender can still make a stealthy poke tackle with legal contact directly from behind, but any tackle from behind comes with a risk of the dribbler making a sudden stop and the defender crashing into them.)

Poke Tackle (Front) Demonstration/Drill

Two players, one attacker, one defender. Attacker has the ball. Attacker is a “willing participant” for tackling instruction to the defender. Attacker and defender set up approximately 20-yards apart. Attacker dribbles toward defender at half speed. Defender sets an appropriate defensive position and stance. Defender moves in for a front-block tackle. At the moment before the tackle, the attacker pushes the ball slightly ahead. The defender makes a poke tackle to send the ball obliquely to one side. When facing an attacker, the defender may use whichever foot is most beneficial to poke the ball. Pick up the pace slightly. Alternate feet. Alternate positions.

Poke Tackle (Side) Demonstration/Drill

Two players, one attacker, one defender. Attacker has the ball. Attacker is a “willing participant” for tackling instruction to the defender. Defender sets up approximately 5-yards behind the attacker. The attacker starts dribbling forward at half speed. As the dribbler starts, the defender runs beside and then slightly ahead of the attacker. At the moment before the defender appears, the attacker pushes the ball slightly ahead. The defender makes a poke tackle to send the ball off to one side. When running alongside the right of the attacker, the defender would usually poke the ball with the right foot. When running alongside the left of the attacker, the defender would usually poke the ball with the left foot. Pick up the pace slightly. Alternate feet. Alternate positions.

Poke Tackle (Behind) Demonstration/Drill

Three players, one attacker, two defenders. Attacker has the ball. Attacker is a “willing participant” for tackling instruction to the defenders. One defender sets up approximately 20-yards away facing the attacker. The other defender sets up approximately 5-yards behind the attacker. Attacker dribbles toward defender at half speed. Defender sets an appropriate defensive position and stance and backpedals to maintain the original distance from the attacker. The other defender approaches from behind. The attacker pushes the ball slightly ahead. The defender from behind makes a poke tackle that sends the ball to the facing defender. Pick up the pace slightly. Alternate feet. Alternate positions.

Side Tackle

While moving in the same direction, the side tackle is an attempt by a defender to dispossess a dribbler of the ball by kicking it away or gaining a position that allows for the inside of the foot to be placed beside or in front of the ball in order to kick it away or to block it, similar to a front block tackle.

This is best done if the defender can gain a slight advantage by getting their shoulder, the one that is nearest the dribbler, just ahead of the shoulder of the opponent. (If first arriving from behind, this has been referred to as a “back tackle.”) Caution must be taken not to commit a foul.

Side Tackle Demonstration/Drill

Two players, one attacker, one defender. Attacker has the ball. Attacker is a “willing participant” for tackling instruction to the defender. Defender sets up approximately 5-yards behind the attacker. The attacker starts dribbling forward at half speed. As the dribbler is met, the defender gets a half-step or a step on the attacker. The defender kicks the ball or attempts to block it with the inside of the foot. This is usually done with the right foot, when coming in from the attacker’s right, or left foot, when coming in from the attacker’s left. (The defender must take care to not put an arm out and hold the attacker back.) Pick up the pace slightly. Alternate feet. Alternate positions.

Shoulder Tackle

A shoulder tackle can be made when legal shoulder-to-shoulder contact is available to the defender as both players are running adjacent to each other. Force is then applied at the shoulder to direct the dribbler to one side, allowing the defender to take control of the ball. Remember that controlled shoulder-to-shoulder contact, even with some force, is a fair challenge according to the Laws of the Game. This tackle is also known as “running the opponent off the ball.”

Shoulder Tackle Demonstration/Drill

Two players, one attacker, one defender. Attacker has the ball. Attacker is a “willing participant” for tackling instruction to the defender. Defender sets up approximately 5-yards behind the attacker. The attacker starts dribbling forward at half speed. As the dribbler is met, the defender runs beside the attacker, making contact shoulder-to-shoulder, arms down. Force is applied by leaning in while pushing off with the outside foot, preferably when the dribbler has their weight on the foot closest to the defender. Just as the attacker is moved, the defender takes control of the ball. This is usually done with the right-front-upper toe of the right foot, when coming in from the attacker’s right, or the left-front-upper toe of the left foot, when coming in from the attacker’s left. Pick up the pace slightly. Alternate feet. Alternate positions.

OTHER

Pull Tackle

A pull tackle, available in an opportunistic situation where the attacker does a poor job of controlling the ball, involves using the pull move learned in dribbling to take the ball away. While facing the ball handler, if the attacker gets sloppy or simply loses focus and puts the ball too far out in front, the defender quickly places the sole of their leading foot on top of the ball and pulls it backward into their possession.

Pull Tackle Demonstration/Drill

Two players, one attacker, one defender. Attacker has the ball. Attacker is a “willing participant” for tackling instruction to the defender. Attacker and defender set up approximately 20-yards apart. Attacker dribbles toward defender at half speed. Defender sets an appropriate defensive position and stance. Defender moves in closer. The attacker pushes the ball slightly ahead. The defender makes a pull tackle to bring the ball into their possession. They can then screen, turn, or make a back pass. This is usually done with the “back” or “trailing” foot. Pick up the pace slightly. Alternate feet. Alternate positions.

Interposing

Interposing is not so much tackling as it is sneaking in and “stealing” the ball. It is relatively rare, but can be very dramatic and effective. A defender can take advantage of a lapse in control or concentration on the part of a dribbler by quickly placing themselves between the dribbler and the ball and then assuming control of the ball. Often there may be little or no contact involved. There are two types of interposing: 1.) defender approaching from head-on; and, 2.) defender approaching from behind.

Interposing (Front) Demonstration/Drill

When a dribbler is advancing the ball upfield relatively slowly, a defender approaching from the front gives the impression that they are going to hang back then, as the dribbler puts the ball just a little too far ahead, the defender sprints in at full speed, steps over the ball, and pivots to place their body between the ball and the attacker to shield it, and then takes full control of the ball. This tackle is most effective ahead of the defensive third.

Two players, one attacker, one defender. Attacker has the ball. Attacker is a “willing participant” for tackling instruction to the defender. Defender sets up approximately 20-yards away facing the attacker. Attacker dribbles toward defender at half speed. Defender sets an appropriate defensive position and stance and may backpedal to maintain the original distance from the attacker. The attacker places the ball too far ahead. The interposing player sprints in, steps over, screens the ball, and assumes control by dribbling. The new dribbler may head toward their own goal line, or turn, or make a back pass. Pick up the pace slightly. Alternate feet. Alternate positions.

Interposing (Behind) Demonstration/Drill

When a dribbler is advancing the ball upfield relatively slowly, a defender approaching from behind at full speed may place themselves between the attacker and the ball and assume control of the ball. This tackle is most effective in midfield, where there is more room for the defender to operate as momentum takes both players toward the defensive third.

Three players, one attacker, two defenders. Attacker has the ball. Attacker is a “willing participant” for tackling instruction to the defender. One defender sets up approximately 25-yards away facing the attacker. The other defender sets up approximately 15-yards behind the attacker. Attacker dribbles toward defender at half speed. Defender sets an appropriate defensive position and stance and backpedals to maintain the original distance from the attacker. The other defender sprints in from behind. The attacker pushes the ball slightly ahead. The defender from behind runs into the space between the dribbler and the ball and assumes control of the ball. The interposing player may pass to the facing defender, dribble, or cut the ball right or left. Pick up the pace slightly. Alternate feet. Alternate positions. Variation: Only use two players, the attacking dribbler and the defender sprinting in from behind.

Next see the Slide Tackle

Soccer Coaching Tips:

Drill at different locations on the field.
Fatigue contributes to mis-timed tackles and an increase in fouls and injuries. Remember to also teach “what not to do” during tackling, including backing-off or withholding from what would clearly become an illegal or injurious action. This includes not coming in from behind, or risking an Achilles tendon or an ankle injury to the opponent. See: Unwritten Rules.
Use the term “Tackle” as part of On-field Oral Communication. This is used by the defensive coordinator or the goalkeeper to tell a defender on the ball that they either have support, or they can no-longer retreat, and that they should move in to try to take the ball away.
Players may develop a “tackling style,” a personal preference for block tackles or slide tackles, technical or hard. While this may be effective, players should not get locked-in to one technique at the expense of being able to perform all types of tackles correctly at the proper time.
Remind offensive or attacking players of the “Avoidance Move” as a technique to help protect themselves from poor or mis-timed tackles.
Tackling practice my be a topic for small-sided games, grid-work, or rondos.
In drills, be conscious of not putting together players with mismatched skill levels as a way to help avoid unnecessary contact or injuries.