How to Improve Your Tackling

Good tackling isn't about crunching challenges — it's about timing, patience and technique. A player who tackles well wins the ball cleanly and stays on their feet. Here's how to coach it safely for any age.

Patience before the tackle

The best tacklers don't rush in. Teach the jockey first: get close, stay balanced on the balls of your feet, and delay the attacker while help arrives. Diving in is the quickest way to get beaten. Win the ball by waiting for the right moment.

Timing is everything

A tackle succeeds or fails on timing. Coach players to watch the ball, not the attacker's feet, and to commit only when the ball is a touch away from the attacker's control. Go too early and you're beaten; too late and you foul.

The front-foot block tackle

The safest, most reliable tackle: get side-on, stay low and balanced, and block the ball firmly with the inside of the foot at the moment the attacker pushes it. Strength comes from a locked ankle and a low centre of gravity, not from lunging.

Stay on your feet

A standing player can react; a player on the ground is out of the game. Teach players to avoid sliding unless it's a last resort. Winning the ball while staying upright means you can play immediately after.

Age-appropriate and safe

For young players, keep it about technique and timing, never physical intimidation. Practise at walking then jogging pace before match speed, and always coach the safety of both players. Clean, well-timed challenges — never reckless ones.

Try it on the pitch: set up high press, low block, man-marking or an attacking shape and get AI coaching for it in the DRILLPITCH Formation & Tactics Builder.

For done-for-you sessions with every drill mapped out, take a look at the DRILLPITCH manual shop.