Three tackles

by Tony Carr in Practice plans, Soccer tackling drills

 PRINT
 Save to My Activities
A successful tackle will give your team a chance to reorganise or even regain possession of
the ball. Practice three variations – the block, slide and poke – with this drill.
What this session is about
1. Tackling
2. Defending
What to think about
For the block tackle: Plant the non-tackling foot firmly; make contact with the middle of the
ball, like a side-foot pass; ensure body weight is behind the tackling foot and keep the knee
and ankle locked; keep the head down over the ball; put a foot under the ball if it becomes
stuck to lift it away.
For the slide tackle: Approach from the side; wait until the attacker separates from the ball;
use the leg farthest from the ball and tuck the other leg underneath the backside; slide on the
outer thigh/ hip; tackle with the laces and contact the centre to top half of the ball; “hook” the
ball in opposite direction to retain it or knock it out of play.
For the poke tackle: Approach from the side or behind; get close; use the foot nearest the ball;
stab the ball away using the toes to kick near its centre.
Set-up
Warm
Warm up Session Developments Game Situation
Down

10 minutes 15 minutes 15 minutes 10 minutes 10

minutes
What you get your players to do
Block tackle Place a ball in the middle of a 10-yard square for a 1v1. The drill starts with the
players standing opposite each other, about three yards either side of the ball. On your signal,
players try to win the ball with a block tackle and dribble across the line at the opposite end.
Make sure players practise using both feet.
Poke tackle Now both players start at one end, with the attacker close to one touchline and
the defender next to the other touchline. At half pace to begin with, the attacker dribbles the
ball towards the opposite side, allowing the defender to practise executing the poke tackle.
After several attempts, players switch roles. Make sure players practise using both feet.
Slide tackle Players start at opposite ends. The attacker dribbles forward steadily at half speed
so he can be caught, before the second player, the defender, begins his run and slide tackle.
After several attempts, players switch roles. Make sure players practise using both feet.
1 – The block tackle. 2 – The poke tackle. 3 – The slide tackle.

Development
Play 2v2 in a 20×15 yards playing area, with a fiveyard zone at each end. Each team attacks
an end zone and scores a point by dribbling the ball into that end zone.
However, teams score bonus points for completing a successful tackle that either wins
possession or knocks the ball out of play. Teams restart play with a pass-in.
In a 2v2, teams score by dribbling the ball into the opposite end zone. Defenders try to use
any of the three tackles to stop attacks.

Game situation
Play 4v4 in a 40×25 yards playing area. Set up four mini goals, one on each side of the pitch.
One team will attack the goals across the width of the pitch while the other team will try to
score in the other goals.
Place the ball in the centre of the pitch, with one player from each team at either end.
On your signal, they run to begin a 1v1. Once a team has scored or the ball goes out of play,
add one player to each team and restart play with a pass-in, until each team has four players.
Play for a set time – the team with the most goals wins – then begin again with a 1v1 but
teams try to score in the other goals.
Building up a 4v4, the team tries to score in goals across the length of the pitch (A) while the
other tries to score in the other goals (B).

What to call out

SHARE THIS
SHARE

About Tony Carr

Tony Carr is one of the most influential figures in English football. The former West Ham
Academy director has brought through – from the youth team to the first team – players like
Glen Johnson, John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard, Michael Carrick, Joe Cole and
Jermain Defoe.
View all posts by Tony Carr >
RELATED

Practice Plans can solve your coaching problems

in Email newsletters, Practice plans
Practice Plans provide the blueprint for an entire session for you to run with your team. A
quick read through and you've got a ready-made session to take on to the pitch. Perfect for
when you're running late and don't have time to hunt around for new ideas. MORE
 Press Gang the opposition like Real Madrid
in Soccer tackling drills, Team Management
Real Madrid win the ball back quickly. They don’t wait for opponents to make a mistake,
they force mistakes so they can regain possession. With this session your team will too.
WHY USE IT This session is all about pressing play and winning the ball, and if your team
has the ball, the opposition cannot... MORE
LATEST ACTIVITIES
 What can football learn from rugby?
 Listen to some great advice
 Get parents onside
 Educating the coach
 Six of the best 1v1s
 Dribble and change direction
 One-two work out
 Last training before Christmas?
 Midfield dynamite
 Making a difference
 Review your tactics
 A new player wants to join the team…
MOST POPULAR DRILLS
 Space Invaders
 9v9 Formations
 Space Wars
 What is a Rondo in soccer?
RECOMMENDED

THE ULTIMATE SOCCER SET PIECE PLAY BOOK

Guarantee more goals with 34 easy-to-use set pieces MORE
BUY