Slide tackling- when is the right age?

I didn't teach it to U10s or U12s. I did teach poke and block tackles, which is really what a slide tackle is. My thinking was slide tackles were an advanced version and seldom used by field players. I have seen a 6 year old perform a slide tackle that an adult would be proud of. Amazing body control. It scared me though. I was afraid all the other kids would start slide tackling with dire results. At that time (mid-80s), slide tackles were not prohibited in youth matches.

USYSA documents advise that slide tackles should be prohibited at U10 and below. Keep in mind that is the player's soccer age. The U12s I coached were a mix of experienced players and complete novices, so it was back to the basics--this is a ball, this is a foot.

I suggest you check with your club as to their policy.

 

My position on this have changed over the years.

I prefer players use the stand up block tackle which is the regular tackle not any kind of slide tackle.

I even wrote a paper on it that was sent to Brazil on line years ago.

Most coaches don't teach the slide tackle. The kids see it on tv and just try it.

Our job is to help our kids become players. I think are job is also try to help them not to be injured doing or receiving bad tackles.

So I would show them how to do the slide tackles and their are many kids of slide tackles. If I saw a player doing it wrong or in a dangerous manner. Plus show them how to avoid the slide tackle and to keep possession of the ball while avoiding the slide tackle.

Bad slide tackles can work because the dribbler will still lose the ball even if he can avoid the slide tackle. Kid see's that a bad slide tackle works he will keep doing it. That can lead to an opponent or him getting hurt. We and the team are not there for that just to win.

We work on things like this before the start of the season during agility part of trainings.

 

Definitely no sooner than U13. Maybe later. Until then, tell them to keep their feet and either contain or make a standing tackle as the situation dictates. As others have said, slide tackles as a general rule are too dangerous for young kids and the kids tend to get enamored with them and end up leaving their feet every chance they get.

 

After U12 does sound about right. Slide tackling would be much safer if coaches taught all players proper technique. The vast majority of players, however, have never been trained on how or when to slide tackle. That is probably never going to change.

By U14 players are starting to slide tackle in matches, so the technique should probably be taught by then. Especially since by that age players are starting to gain their adult size and strength, and the amount of force being used is significantly higher than in U-Littles.

 

Not sure there is 'an exception to the rule' as much as it is clarifying to him (and the team) choosing your moment to identify when you can tackle/win the ball. Yes, he did the right thing in getting a a good athletic position/proper body technique, but then it becomes time to pick the 'correct' moment to tackle the ball.

 

14 sounds about right because:
A. They are maturing to understand the purpose and timing of the play. While I may not be an expert U-12 coach, being around them for the past five seasons, trying to practice such a tackle quickly breaks down into horseplay.

And more importantly:
B. They will understand the consequences of failing to perform a proper slide tackle by endangering an opponent and the risk or red or yellow cards.

 

That's really less about "tackling" and more about "shot denial" though, isn't it? I didn't see the play, of course, but the defender may well have been right not to attempt a tackle, but then the issue becomes getting in front of the shooter to deny (or block) his shot rather than attempt to dispossess him. The defender is working hard to contain the attacker and deny dribble penetration and deny the pass, but once inside shooting range he needs to also think about denying the shot, though probably not in the form of a tackle.

 

A shoulder charge is a good technique when running along side. At the very least you force the ball to the opposite foot and force the player to either turn away or slow down to counter the charge.

 

A small defender won't stop a big attacker using a shoulder charge. However, do the shoulder charge to you draw level then slide tackle using the foot closest to the ball not the far foot. Knocking the ball to the outside then get up and win the ball.

Bob convey was a small player, but would consistently win the ball using that.

 

A bit misleading Nick, but your advice is still good. It is more complicated than just relative height.

All other things being equal, a shorter defender has the advantage in a shoulder charge--a lower center of gravity. The taller the opponent, the easier to beat them. The denser player also has an advantage because of higher mass (able to apply higher force). Finally a specific body type helps: short legs with a long torso has a lower center of gravity. Quick feet means more force applied over time. Someone short but built like a fireplug with quick feet is very hard to charge successfully.

It is not about being stronger and just having a lower center of gravity. The shorter legs are important because they push up, not down. Taller players cannot use their lower body strength in a shoulder charge. Shorter players can use all their strength against players with the same or higher center of gravity.

In American Football and wrestling coaches teach players to get low and drive their opponent with their legs.

 

Big dribbler can use his hands to keep the smaller dribbler under control doing a shoulder charge.

 

I played primarily as a defender as a kid and I don't remember ever being taught how to slide tackle. It was always something that I picked from watching soccer on TV, especially at age 13/14 where you become more educated on the sport and aware of different game situations. From my experience as a player, I really started using the slide tackle at 15 when games became more competitive, which was natural as kids got bigger and stronger and gained a bit more of an edge because of that.

Nowadays, I think players should be properly taught in their teen years no matter what level they play at. I have always been a firm believer that's it's just a part of the game, and whether a player chooses to do it or not, they should be prepared to make a proper tackle and also be alert of an incoming challenge.

Artificial surfaces are also another factor to consider in this discussion.

 

True, but that is pushing or holding rather than a fair charge. If a player is not pushing or holding, then there is no benefit from making contact with the arm instead of the shoulder and it is certainly more dangerous to the opponent being struck by a forearm or elbow instead of the shoulder. In American football coaches train their players to tackle with their body, not their arms, because it is much easier to break an arm tackle.

 

Yes, grass turf is preferred, but in either case players should wear training pants to protect their legs.

 

If it were up to me, probably anywhere from around 10+ years old, depending on skill level, physical size, etc.
Teaching kids the 'block' slide tackle initially would probably be beneficial (In which a defender slides in front of the passing foot to block a cross/pass, a relatively safe tackle)
From there, stress that a slide tackle isn't necessarily to take a player down, and the ball must be touched before the player. Give examples of what to do and what not to do.
In a safe environment, slide tackling can be correctly taught to mostly any age group, however, it's much more important to teach your team the fundamentals and teamplay before 'unessential' skills like slide tackles.

 

I was under the impression you can't slide and play the ball from the ground so this thread is moot.

 

There are probably different rules in different leagues, states etc for youth football, not too sure.