Question Number: 31173

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 1/12/2017

RE: Youth to adult, comp and rec.

Barry Stewart of Chilliwack, BC Canada asks...

This question is a follow up to question 31170

Thanks to Joe for the compilation video of the slide tackles.

I noted the ref's reaction in some, so clearly these are not all 'legal' challenges. For example, the full-speed leap into the path of a player who has the ball under control, at 00:52.

At least at the recreational and youth level, I'm thinking that was a yellow card at minimum. Reckless, with a red card waiting if he's off by even a split second in his timing.

I have trouble with the 'coming together' free pass on many slide tackles. You've put yourself in the path of the opponent, where a collision is the likely outcome and you magically get off because you touched the ball before the player tripped over your body?

Every challenge has its context and timing, of course. Maybe I've seen too many bad slide tackles to not assume the worst when a defender goes to ground.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Barry
The net is littered with poor slide tackles, some of which have ended in serious injury. Safety is paramount in refereeing and it is encumbent on referee to deal correctly and sternly with slide challenges that only have one possible outcome of heavy unfair contact and / or collecting the opponent.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Barry,
In my opinion, Referee Grove pointed out in an earlier post the REASON the MYTH of 'I got the BALL ref!' exists
Formerly the old LOTG used to say that it was a foul to tackle a player and make contact with the player before the ball., which had the unfortunate effect of leading to the erroneous conclusion that any tackle where the ball was contacted before the player, was not a foul.

Players that come together when in pursuit of the ball are looked at differently then a player WITH the ball is upended by an opponent looking to get to the ball. I have maintained that SLIDE TACKLES are the LAST resort of a beaten defender and ALWAYS suspect to create a foul given it is MOST likely there will be considerable contact no matter how the ball might get knocked away.

It is a sad fact but even a legal slide tackle can create mayhem . In fact it is WHY often the no slide rule is in effect at many youth and older aged soccer matches as the act of simply falling down can be painful.

I watched more than one well timed tackle end in misery often for the tackler as well as the tackled. I heard and seen the jaw of one and the leg of another break of ambitious young lads sliding in front of a much larger player poking the ball away quite nicely but paying for the fact they were directly in the path of a rather sizable opponent and did not do well in the clash that followed. The reverse of course where the tackler in cresting an obstacle by being low the resulting falling opponent in trying not to step or crush the player at their feet have fallen ending up with both broken and sprained wrists arms legs ankles and popped knees.

There is considerable risk in going to ground and yes it can be effective and legal but it also can be malicious, deliberately callous and very very unsafe!
Cheers.