The Art of Tackling

The art of tackling is a phase that is banded around these days as a nostalgic quip at the current situation where people believe football is becoming a ‘non contact’ sport. Despite my tone, I have to say I agree. The difficulty here though lies in the specifics I am not calling for a return to Chopper Harris and Dixie Deans methods of dismantling and discombobulating opponents for their own personal and vocational advantage. The football artistry of Messi, Silva and Ronaldo would not exist if this was so.

But  for instance if you are to ask me about Vincent Kompany and his tackle on Nani at the weekend I undoubtedly think it was a brilliant tackle, he committed, he won the ball and with minimal contact to the opposing player. He is a great player and that was a great tackle, however by the letter of the law the red card was always a possibility in that situation. Say what you like Vincent’s body left the floor, as soon as that occurs you lose a degree of control over your body, although it didn’t seem it as he masterfully deposed Nani of the ball. The referee had no recourse other than to send Kompany on his way.

Consistency however is a growing issue amongst the referees who officiate the biggest games in world football. Glen Johnson last night won the ball with what could have been a grotesque challenge if made a split moment later. A leg breaker my old man would call one of those. But he did win the ball, he was more committed to that ball then his opponent who flagged and flailed behind. There is your art of tackling, the art of entering your opponents mind before a tackle. I personally love seeing two players go in full-blooded, knowing the consequence of what might occur, fearless of injury and respectful of their peer. Vinnie Jones spoke of going into one such tackle with Bryan Robson early in his career, Robson won the battle but at the next moment available commended Jones on his pluckiness. The art of tackling can be many things, if you have ever had the joy of watching Paolo Maldini harrying an opponent at every potential moment before making a delightful standing tackle with either foot then charging up the field you will know a great tackle doesn’t need to involve sliding. But the slide tackle is a necessary part of this beautiful game.

I do not believe any footballer (apart from maybe Nigel De Jong) goes out to injure an opponent when flying, jumping, running whatever you want to call it into one of these challenges. I think there is an explanation to it. These tackle usually occur at 50-50 moments, the ball equally available for both players. These men are professional footballers they have spent the majority of their lives competing to win. Every occasion they have an opportunity to win they will do anything in their power to do so. Losing is not an option, and in a tackle that is the same. Kompany, Johnson, Lampard have all recently been cited for their tackles but there is no way hurting their opponents entered their heads. They simply had to win that ball; they are built that way mentally. In an alpha male show of dominance to not go into those tackles would show a lack of face, diminished pride and cowardice they could not portray. Other players aren’t made this way, the fear of injury is too much for them and that is fair enough, but that is an advantage the opponent has over them. Nani can cross a ball better then Kompany (maybe) but when it comes to the mental aptitude for a hearty challenge the advantage is the Belgian’s.

When playing football I have always tried to get stuck in, I love a slide tackle and there is no better feeling then intimidating an opponent with a rough challenge, but the intent to maim is never there. Last year playing a game of football I jumped up for a header with an opponent we both landed awkwardly and I landed on his knee, bending it the wrong way and breaking his tibia and fibula, it was horrendous but completely accidental, earlier in the game I was booked for a overzealous and high challenge on the same player. He looked at me, winked and walked away. The point I make is football is a contact sport. Tackles are made, legs are broken, red cards are awarded the only issue is consistency. Clearer rules have to be established on the matter or the slide tackle will be obsolete.

The slide tackle cannot become extinct, the sight of a footballer scurrying into a desperate slide, mud flicking into a rainy sky, water spraying off the turf, the look of intensity harrowing their brow as they win the ball; opposing player sky borne with the mud and water falling to the earth with a thud. That sight is as good as any penalty save or 20 yard volley. It can be majestic, musical and stirring to view and the game itself would be lost without the art of the tackle.

Double footed Ramble