When [tag-tec]coaching youth soccer[/tag-tec], it may seem fairly basic to coach players on how to tackle. After all, all you have to tell them is get in there, win the ball and start going forward – right? No, not quite!

Tackling is actually a tactic and players should be coached in tackling the same as they are with any other tactic. As with most things, there is a right way to do it and a wrong way to do it. Tackling is no exception.

The tactic is deciding when to make a tackle, getting in the right position to make the tackle as well as covering for those that are making the tackle. As a [tag-tec]soccer coach[/tag-tec], in particular if you are coaching youth soccer, all of these elements are part of [tag-tec]developing youth soccer players[/tag-tec] and need to be taught. Continued practice, will bring success. I recently wrote an article on defensive positioning in soccer which can be read in conjunction with this post. You can view that article when you click here

A player tackles to take the ball away from their opponent. Ideally, the aim is to win the ball in the same movement. However, this is not always possible. The first requirement of a defender is to slow down or delay the opposition from advancing towards our goal, then induce an error or make a tackle to regain possession. If the tackle is poorly timed or the player has rushed in and taken the player before the ball, the result will be a free kick awarded to the opposition.

Every opposition player has one foot that is weaker than the other. Defenders should try and move their opposition players to their weakest side therefore making it easier for the tackle. This will also mean more often than not, that it is also the weaker side for the defender and they may be off balance as well. When coaching youth soccer, ensure there is a second player behind for support in defense in case the first defender loses their footing.

There are many forms of tackling in soccer. Most people are familiar with ‘direct’ style of tackling (sliding, block and shoulder to shoulder) where the ball is taken directly from the opponent. Equally important is the many ‘indirect’ forms of tackling. By correct positioning, marking and ‘reading’, players can often intercept balls that are meant for their opposition or force their opponent into making a mistake. This indirect tackling often leads to errors by the opposition and results in a team mate winning possession.

Practicing the Slide-Tackle: Coaching Points

When coaching youth soccer, I have never had any trouble encouraging kids to slide tackle. Kids love to slide tackle, especially when it is wet. The slide-tackle is often always more potentially dangerous for the offensive [tag-tec]soccer[/tag-tec] player because such a tackle will blind-side a player. In other words, whenever an attacker is slide-tackled he or she is totally defenseless. All [tag-tec]soccer[/tag-tec] players need to master the slide tackle, it is an effective form of defense when used correctly, however there a couple of points that all coaches that are coaching youth soccer need to be aware of.

• Firstly, the slide tackle can be practiced at soccer training, however the emphasis should be placed more on the correct angle of approach and the timing. Ensure players tackle from alongside the opposition, never from behind. In all cases, the foot needs to touch the ball first, otherwise a free kick will be awarded. Remember, tackling has nothing to do with attacking the opposition’s feet, shins or ankles, it is all about dispossessing the opposition of the ball.
  

• Secondly, when [tag-tec]coaching youth soccer[/tag-tec], always encourage your players to stay on their feet in the penalty box. It is very dangerous to slide tackle the opposition in your own penalty box as an incorrectly timed tackle can result in a penalty being awarded against the team. I want to repeat this point again – always encourage your players to defend on their feet in their own penalty box. As the players become more experienced, their timing will improve and they will become more adept at this style of tackling.

Timing, positioning and determination are three basics of equal importance to the actual technique of tackling. As a soccer coach coaching youth soccer, the emphasis is on developing youth soccer players and it is important that you stress to the players it is not so much a matter of how you tackle but when and where.