Sliding Tackle - Commonly Associated Fouls and Misconduct

Commonly Associated Fouls and Misconduct

A sliding tackle is not in itself foul play, however there are a number of fouls that commonly occur during the execution of a sliding tackle.

Examples of such fouls punishable by a direct free kick or penalty kick include:

• When a player tackles an opponent to gain possession of the ball, making contact with the opponent before touching the ball;
• When a player in a manner considered by the referee to be careless, reckless or using excessive force:
  • kicks or attempts to kick an opponent;
  • trips or attempts to trip an opponent;
  • raises his/her football boots perpendicular to the field (colloquially known as "studs up").

Playing in a dangerous manner is punishable by an indirect free kick.

A foul sliding tackle may also constitute misconduct, resulting in either yellow card (caution) or a red card (send off). In particular a tackle "which endangers the safety of an opponent, must be sanctioned as serious foul play" (i.e. the player must be sent off).

Slide tackles from behind or with both legs extended have now been outlawed due to the injury and danger to other players that it causes. These tackles generally earn the player who commits them a straight red card, even if the ball is won cleanly and the tackle is not technically a foul.