Psychology  of  Tackling

    The  psychological  aspect  of  tackling  plays  a  vital  role  in  the outcome   of   any  competitive  soccer game.  A   successful  tackle in  the  game  can  install  confidence  not   only   for   the   challenging   player, but  to  the  team  as  a  whole.  It   is  estimated   that  each  player will  face  approximately   forty  individual confrontations  per  game. The more these  individual  battles  are  won  the  greater success  the team has.


  The Block Tackle

Step One:
The  Non-kicking  foot should  be  placed  alongside  the  ball (approximately 10" to the side). The  ankle  joint  of  the  tackling  foot  must  be firm and locked.  The  knees  should  be  bent  to  lower  the center  of gravity of the player. This will produce  a  compact and more powerful shape. 
Step Two:
The  head  and  upper  body  should  be over the ball. The  hands  should be closed  (make a fist). This will tighten the upper body.
Step Three:  
Contact  is made with  the  inside  of the foot. Contact  on the  ball  should  be made  through the  horizontal  mid-line and  center  of  the ball. Quality  tackling  is  as  much an attitude  as it is  technique. Players  must  develop an aggressive attitude towards winning the ball.


  The Slide Tackle

Step One: 
Approach   the  ball  from  a  "Side - On"   position. Keep  the head  steady   and   eye's   fixed firmly  on the ball.While  turning  sideways  into  the  tackle, extend  the closest   arm  to  the  ball  and reach for  the  ground. This  will  help  take  the  weight  off  the  upper  body  as  you  slide  to  the  ground. At  the same time  the  player  should collapse the leg closest to the ball to get to the ground quickly.
Step Two:
When  the  player  is on the  ground  alongside  the ball, the player should   then extend  the  upper  leg  and  using  a  sweeping   action, attempt to win the ball.
Step Three:
If  you cannot  keep  possession  of  the ball, then all attempts should  be  made  to  redirect the  ball  away  from  the  player. The  slide  tackle should  only  be  used  as  a  last  resort   to  dispossess a player. As you will be lying  on  the  ground  it  will  be a disadvantage  should  the tackle not  be successful. 


  RESTRAINT  WHEN  DEFENDING

   Knowing  "When"  and  "When"  not  to  tackle  is  a very  important  quality  for smart defending. Good defenders  will  pick  the  right  time to win the ball, knowing  that the pressure is on the attacker to beat his man. Experienced defenders  will  look to slow down the attacker and eliminate  the momentum the attacker may have. This  allows time for teammates to recover back goal side of the ball.

  Tips to Consider:
   Approach  the  attacker cautiously  if  he  has  good  possession of the ball. Slow  down  your  approach speed  on  your  last  few  steps. Don't  stop  too  close to the defender. This  is  when  you  are at your most vulnerable, because  the  exact  moment  you  plant your  feet  to  transfer  your  weight, good  forwards will play  the  ball  past  you. You can  compensate  by  stopping  approximately  2 yards  away  from the attacker, then  slowly  edge  in  for  the  tackle. Watch the ball. Cunning  forwards  will use a variety of body  and head feints to throw you off balance. Players lie, but the ball does not.


  TIMING  OF  THE  TACKLE

   Timing a tackle is an art in itself. You must assess the flight of the  ball quickly. Does your  opponent have good control over the ball or are  they  still trying to get the ball under control?  If  their  eyes  are  fixed  on the ball  and  still  trying  to  secure  it, this is a perfect time to  catch  your  opponent  unexpectedly. Should your opponent have the ball under good control, caution is your best option.

   Tips to consider:
   Watch  your  opponent’s  head. Is  their  head  down  and  looking at the ball or up and scanning  the  field of  play? If it's down, go  for  the  ball, if  it's  up, be  patient. Wait until the  attacker  pushes  the  ball  out  of  their  feet  to make your tackle. This is the point where  the  ball  is  furthest  away from the body and harder to control. The longer you delay  the  attack, the  more  time  it  gives  your  teammate  to  recover  goal-side of  the  ball. Don't   dive  into  the  tackle  if  you are the last  defender. Stay  on  your  feet. Use a slide tackle as a last resort.
   
© 2005-2008. Barrie Spirit Soccer
Tackling
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give you  confidence and impose  authority  over the player you are marking. Be aggressive and  focus on the ball. Blank         out          any  distractions  and don't be  intimidated  by the  fans. Don't  get  involved  in  "trash  talking",   this    will  only take  away  from your concentration. Don't  be half hearted in the tackle. Go 100% for the ball or don't go at all.
Make       your  first        tackle  count,  this  will