What is a tackle in soccer?
A tackle in soccer is a challenge with the foot to take the ball away from an opponent. It is fair when the defender plays the ball without being careless or reckless, and a foul when they trip, kick or push the opponent.
Other names: tackling, challenge.
Soccer is called football in most of the world. This guide is part of Futbol Island’s free football lessons for kids aged 7 to 12.
Tackle: diagram
How to tackle well
- Get close, then slow down. Stand side-on with your knees bent.
- Stay on your feet and keep moving backward with the dribbler. Coaches call this jockeying.
- Tackle when the ball is away from the dribbler’s foot: after a big touch or a slow one.
- Put your foot firmly through the middle of the ball, with a teammate covering behind you.
Common mistakes
- Diving in. If you miss, you are out of the game and the attacker is through.
- Tackling from behind, where it is very hard to reach the ball without fouling.
- Reaching with one leg from far away instead of getting your body close first.
In 7v7, 9v9, 11v11 and futsal
The Laws are the same in every size of game: a tackle that is careless, reckless or uses too much force is a foul. Youth leagues and futsal leagues can add their own rule about sliding, so check yours.
Questions about the tackle
When is a tackle a foul?
When it is careless, reckless or uses too much force, even if the defender touches the ball. Tripping or kicking the opponent is a direct free kick.
What is a slide tackle?
A tackle made by sliding along the ground. It is a last choice, because a defender on the ground cannot recover quickly.
What is jockeying?
Staying in front of a dribbler without tackling, moving backward and slowing them down until help arrives or the ball gets loose.
Lessons that teach it
- Can We Win It Back? (11v11 lesson)Challenge when the ball is there to win. If the chance has gone, get back and protect your goal.
- Stay Between the Ball and Goal (7v7 lesson)Move with the attacker while keeping yourself between the ball and your goal.
- One Presses, One Covers (9v9 lesson)Approach the ball with support behind; adjust cover when the attack moves.
- Delay and Cover (Futsal lesson)One defender approaches under control while a teammate protects the dangerous pass.
Related soccer terms
- Goal-SideStanding between an attacker and your own goal.
- MarkStaying close to an opponent, between them and your goal, so they cannot receive the ball easily.
- PressRunning to close down the player with the ball so they have less time, while a teammate covers behind.
- 2v1Two attackers against one defender. The player with the ball dribbles at the defender, then passes if the defender comes or keeps going if they do not.
- All soccer terms, A to Z92 soccer words in plain English, from advantage to yellow card, 18 with a diagram
- Soccer rules for kids16 rules explained for kids, each with a diagram: offside, handball, throw-ins and more
Futbol Island is a free football (soccer) learning game for kids aged 7 to 12. Every idea on this page is taught on a pitch with moving players, then checked with a quick quiz.