How to Slide Tackle in Soccer
Soccer, also known as football, is one of the most popular sports in the world. It is highly popular amongst the masses and is followed avidly. The popularity of the sport can be judged by the fact that the soccer world cup has more following than the Olympics.
Depending upon the formation used, there are usually four to five defenders in a game and their job is to prevent the players of opposing teams from scoring goals. In order to do so, they have to include a few tactics into their game.
The sliding tackle is a skill that is used by defenders as a last resort. When no other options of engaging the opponent to remove the ball from his possession are left, a defender makes a sliding tackle. Although the skill is not that difficult to understand, the execution is somewhat tricky.
Many players refrain from making sliding tackles as it is risky and at the same time it has its consequences.
Instructions
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1
Commitment is the first thing that you need to have if you want to make a successful sliding tackle. This tackle needs a player to put his body on the line.
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2
You should slide on side of your body. The side you chose depends on your comfort zone. Usually right footed players slide on the left side of their bodies and left footed players on their right.
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3
It is important that you extend one of your legs and bent the other to get more balance. This way you will also get more leverage but also save your body from major injuries.
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4
The timing is very important. If you do not make a clean contact with the ball, the referee is more likely to call a foul and you might get a booking. Depending on the situation and the extent of the foul will determine which card you get. If the tackle is a nasty one then be prepared to spend the remaining time of the match on the bench.
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5
What you do with the ball once you have made the sliding tackle is what you will have to keep in your mind. If you think that the best option is to just remove the ball from the opponent’s possession, do so. If the coast is clear and the ball can be passed to your own teammate then you should pass the ball to your teammate. Otherwise, clear it to safety.
