Practice the Slide Tackle
Learn and practice a safe soccer slide tackle with cones and soft ground, focusing on foot positioning, timing, and wearing shin guards for protection.
Step-by-step guide to practice the slide tackle
Step 1
Put on your shin guards socks and comfortable shoes.
Step 2
Place the 4 cones in a straight line about one meter apart to make a tackle lane.
Step 3
Look over the grass or turf and pick a soft flat spot that is free of sticks rocks or holes.
Step 4
Warm up by jogging slowly around the cone lane for two minutes.
Step 5
Stand at one end of the lane and get into a ready stance with knees bent and weight slightly forward.
Step 6
Take two quick running steps forward toward the first cone.
Step 7
Plant your non-tackling foot firmly beside the cone.
Step 8
Push off your planted foot and slide on your side extending your tackling foot forward across the lane toward the cone.
Step 9
Repeat the side slide without the ball three times focusing on staying controlled and landing on your side.
Step 10
Place the soccer ball in front of the cone about one stride from your starting spot.
Step 11
Do one gentle slide tackle aiming to make contact with the ball using the front or inside of your tackling foot to stop it.
Step 12
Ask a partner to stand opposite you and gently pass the ball toward the cone.
Step 13
Practice timing by sliding only when you are one stride away from the ball and repeat this five times with your partner.
Step 14
Share a photo or short note about your practiced slide tackle on DIY.org.
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can we use instead of cones or shin guards if we can't find them?
If you don't have cones use rolled-up socks, water bottles, or small toys spaced about one meter apart for the tackle lane, and if you lack shin guards wear thick socks with a folded towel or padded sock insert under the sock for extra protection while sliding.
My slide tackle feels uncontrolled or I keep landing badly—what should I fix?
Check that you're on a soft flat spot free of sticks or rocks, complete the two-minute warm-up jog, plant your non-tackling foot firmly beside the cone, push off as you extend the tackling foot, and repeat the side slide without the ball three times to build a controlled landing on your side.
How can I adapt this drill for different ages and skill levels?
For younger kids (4–6) reduce the approach to a low shuffle or knee-side slide and keep the cones closer, for middle ages follow the full two-step approach and three practice slides, and for older or advanced players add speed to the two quick running steps and perform the partner timing drill five times.
What are simple ways to extend or personalize the slide tackle practice?
Time each run from the starting spot to the cone and try to beat your time while maintaining a controlled side landing, add a small target on the ball to aim for during the single slide tackle, and share a photo or note about your practiced slide tackle on DIY.org for feedback.
Watch videos on how to practice the slide tackle
Epic Slide Tackle & Defensive Skills | Youth Soccer Highlights and Winning Plays!
3 Videos
Epic Slide Tackle & Defensive Skills | Youth Soccer Highlights and Winning Plays!
How To Slide Tackle Properly: Understand The Scenarios
How to SLIDE TACKLE in Soccer / Football
Facts about soccer tackling and safety
⏱️ Coaches often say timing beats power: a well-timed slide tackle wins possession more reliably than a heavy, late tackle.
⚽ Slide tackling is a signature move in soccer — to be legal you must play the ball, not just the player.
🟠 Practicing with cones helps perfect approach angle and foot placement — try cones 1–2 meters apart to simulate an opponent.
🌱 Sliding on soft grass reduces impact and scraping injuries compared with sliding on hard surfaces like concrete.
🛡️ The Laws of the Game require players to wear shin guards covered by socks for protection during matches.
How do you teach a child to practice a safe soccer slide tackle?
What materials do I need to practice a slide tackle at home or in training?
What ages is learning the slide tackle suitable for?
What are the safety tips, benefits, and safe variations for practicing slide tackles?
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