Question Number: 33274

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 4/26/2019

RE: Competive Under 13

grace of Fredricksburg, Virginia USA asks...

Is a slide tackle an automatic yellow card?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Grace
A slide tackle is like any other tackle and unless it is executed in a reckless manner then it is not subject to any disciplinary card.
Now at Underage level there can be local competition rules on certain facilities where slide tackling is not allowed. That can be a local rule in the interest of player safety and it is not very common.
In Under 10 games that we organise which is played on indoor facilities slide tackling is not allowed. It is sanctioned by a free kick only.

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Grace,
In a game played under IFAB Laws, it most certainly is not an automatic caution. A player is only to be given a yellow card if the tackle is reckless. A well-executed slide tackle requires skill and care but can be almost a thing of beauty if done correctly. A poorly-executed slide tackle on the other hand, can be dangerous and can lead to a yellow card if reckless or a red card if done with excessive force (or if it endangers an opponent's safety).

As ref McHugh points out, it's possible that there could be a competition-specific rule against slide tackling but if there is, in my experience it's usually a free kick offence only.