How to Slide Tackle - Part 2

Key Points:

Key Point #1 - Slide with your dominant leg. Typically for a block style tackle you are going to put your most dominant foot out for the block and your other leg underneath it. It looks like a baseball player sliding into second. 

Key Point #2 - Get your blocking leg off the ground a bit to cover as much block distance as possible. What I mean is you want your leg just under ball height off the ground. This way it increases your chances of blocking the ball if they kick it high or low right off their foot. 

Key Point #3 - Time your tackle. You want to time the tackle when the attacker has their leg coming back or back and ready to shoot. Time it so a shot, cross or pass is their last option. 

Like the attacker is running so fast that if they tried to cut back or do a fake shot they couldn’t because they couldn’t stop themselves.

If the attacker is at half pace and not full speed they have a much better chance of faking a shot. In that situation stay on your feet and don’t slide. 

Key Point #4 - Pop Up quick pushing off the ground with your hands if needed. Get up quick from a tackle and you will look legit. Not to mention you will be ready to make a pass or dribble right away. 

If you miss the tackle so what! That happens. React positive and hustle back on defense. 

Key Point #5 - Listen to your gut. Don’t over think the block slide tackle. You shouldn’t be thinking, should I do it now? How about now? What about now? When your gut tells you to do it, do it! Don’t over think it. 

Key Point #6 - Be confident. Have no doubt in your mind that you will win the ball. Yes, you won’t win it every time but mentally you need to believe you will. No doubt! Believe in it®!!

Key Points on what NOT TO DO!

Do NOT try to hurt anyone. Do NOT try to foul. Yes, tackle hard and put fear into your opponents, in a politely classy kinda way, but don’t ever try to hurt anyone. Be respectful of your fellow players and their careers. 

Exercise Player Can Do:

First start off by getting this technique down. Practice a few reps of going to the ground from a stand still. 

Once comfortable pass the ball to the cone in front of you about 10 yards. Sprint to it and imagine an attacker is about to shoot. Then do the block slide tackle, imagine you blocked the ball and get up quick to find where the ball went. With this tackle you won’t know where the ball is going to end up from your block so be alert and ready before the attacker is. 

This solo practice will be tricky because normally the attacker would shoot the ball into your leg. So when practicing without someone shooting, the ball is going to just keep rolling. Just imagine you blocked it and get up alert and ready to find the ball. You are simulating what would happen in games. Then get the ball and repeat. 

By adding the "get up alert and ready" after you block a shot this will help you react quicker in games. 

Do 5 reps, then repeat a few sets.

What Player Could Be Doing Wrong:

Some things that could be going wrong. If you keep getting faked every time you try a block tackle then you are mis timing your tackle. Make sure the attacker is at full speed and their only option is to shoot, cross or pass.

If they are at half speed the odds are good they are going to try to fake you and force you to slide.

This Video Covers:
How to Slide Tackle, Soccer Slide Tackle, Proper Slide Tackling Technique, Soccer Tutorial, Soccer Defense Techniques, Defensive Soccer Drills, Soccer Defense Drills, Soccer Defense, How to Defend in Soccer, Soccer Defender, Soccer Skills, Soccer Drills, Soccer Tutorial, Soccer Drills for Kids, Soccer Training Drills, Youth Soccer Drills