Question Number: 29518

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 7/1/2015

RE: Intermediate Under 13

Phil of Tarzana, CA United States asks...

This question is a follow up to question 29510

I notice that referee Dawson mentions a slide tackle with a single leg. Suppose the tackle is with 2 legs (sort of like a baseball player sliding into base with one leg on top of the other), where the defender gets the ball & the legs are kept down & studs point down. If the attacker trips over the top leg, would you consider that a foul? In other words, would the fact that you're more likely to trip over two stacked legs rather than one, turn it into a foul...or would this be a grey area?
Thanks again,

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Phil
Sliding with both legs will be viewed extremely negatively. It certainly is careless as the player will have a distinct lack of control as, to execute it, the player will have to leave contact with the ground with both legs for a short period which is then an uncontrolled lunge.
I go back to my favourite compilation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cMg8pPWOrs
Slide tackles at 1.10 and at 1.51, 2.18, 3.28 show no control and are certainly careless with some reckless. When both feet leave the ground the players then depends on gravity alone which is never a safe position particularly when the direction of the challenge is towards an opponent.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Phil,
It actually is easier to slide using the one leg, because you run at a stretch, not with legs together. If the legs were stacked out in front perhaps the tackle would be ok but no guarantee. The dual leg tackle is far more on the radar for being dangerous. It is actually more unsafe as it is more like a jump at an opponent rather than a slide. Then there is the possibility of scissoring the player if the legs come apart as well. You will find keeping cleats down is far harder once you launch both feet first at an opponent! If you make contact with an opponents leg with your legs stacked you are over top the ankle of his foot into the shin, with legs locked almost always a send off event.
Cheers