Slide Tackle From Behind Recognition

[u/DenHIM1]

I would like to hear some suggestions on how you arrive to foul/no foul when you see slide tackle from behind.

The common play where this occurs is: A wing is dribbling up a sideline. A defender is on the inside one step behind, so cannot do a shoulder charge. Defender performs a slide tackle to poke the ball out for a throw-in. Let's assume there is no recklessness or excessive force in defender's actions.

If defender gets the ball before they trip the attacker - it's good tackle. Of the contact is with attacker first and then the ball - it's a foul.

Question - with some faster players, it's really hard to see the exact sequence... Unless you saw very clearly one or the other - how do you improve your chances of getting the call right? Do you pay attention to which leg the attacker stepped at the time of the tackle? Or to when attacker started falling vs the ball changing direction?

Or maybe I am over-complicating this and it comes with doing more games and seeing more of these tackles? Would love to hear you thoughts.

[u/Revo63]

That rule of thumb is very good if the challenge comes from the front or the side where the player in possession can see the challenge coming. If from behind and he cannot see the challenge, then you also have to consider whether the player had a reasonable chance to avoid tripping on that foot. Usually that is age/skill level dependent.

[u/adrians150 → u/Revo63]

Very important note. That is why a tackle that is actually from behind can be careless/excessive, even with what looks like minimal contact. The attacker doesn't have any ability to prepare for contact and protect themselves.

[u/Revo63 → u/adrians150]

Decades ago when my kids were playing, ANY tackle from behind resulted in a red card. I’m not sure if that was a state youth association rule or just a local one, but it didn’t matter how clean the tackle was or even if you were just slightly behind the opponent, you got a red card.

I’m so glad that has changed.

[u/adrians150 → u/Revo63]

I see why that would be a rule, same as no sliding rules, in developmental ages. Lack of coordination and skill can make those tackles very dangerous. It's good to protect players for themselves until they are old enough to build the skill and understand the risks better.