Checking Skills

All footballers, no matter what their position, must recognise the crucial role of defence. From the full-forward who must chase hard to the full-back who spoils a mark, they all contribute to the eventual success of your team.

Beginners should practise the skills that result in your team regaining possession such as:

• spoiling marks
• tackling

Competent players can add these components to their game:

• shepherding
• blocking
• smothering

It is important to practise all these skills correctly so that you don’t give away any free kicks.

SMOTHERING

The smother is a display of courage when a player throws himself across the leg or boot of an opponent to stop the ball from reaching its destination.

A good smother can deflate the spirit of a player who thinks he is about to get an easy kick. It also lifts the side which has made the smother, because it requires great courage to put your body on the line.

1. The hands are brought from the hip level, close together. 'Shoot from the hips' with the fingers pointing straight ahead.

2. The arms and hands are extended at about 45 degrees over the kicking boot. Smother the ball when it is on or has just left the kicker’s boot.

3. The smotherer must keep his eyes on the ball at all times.

Tip: To get your smothering technique started, have a partner fake a kick (without a ball to start with) and aim to touch his kicking foot. When you are more confident, your partner can use a ball.

TACKLING

Tackling an opponent is an important component of a footballer's make-up. It can often mean the difference between a goal and a kick that travels off-line.

A player may be fairly met or checked by an opponent by the use of the hip, shoulder, chest, arms or open hand, provided the ball is not more than five metres away. The tackle may be from the front, side or behind, provided it does not thrust forward the player with the ball.

Only a player with the ball can be held and then only below the shoulder and above the knee. Once a player has possession of the ball and is legally held he shall be given a reasonable time to kick or handball the ball, otherwise he is deemed to be "holding the ball" and a free kick is awarded to his tackler.

If the umpire believes that the player in possession of the ball has the ball pinned to his body and he has not had a reasonable time to dispose of the ball, the ball will be bounced. In other words, play will come to a momentary halt and each team will have an equal chance of getting the ball.

The correct technique is important, otherwise you will give away a free kick.

Tackling From Behind

Approach the player who has the ball, from one side, so he is not pushed in the back. The head should be placed on one side. The player is grabbed on the arms just above the elbows and then swung or spun off balance.

Tackling From the Front

The tackler approaches the player with his arms at waist level. The tackler places his head to one side of the player, with his chin tucked into his chest. He then pins the arms of the other player and spins or turns him off balance. Your shoulder and arm make first contact to an opponent’s chest. Ensure your head is behind the opponent’s back and out of any danger. Use your body weight to slow down your opponent.

General Coaching Hints

Begin with:

• The opponent stationary and the tackler walking in.
• Extend to the tackler jogging in.
• Tackling can take place below the shoulders and above the knees.

Tip: When playing or training, always aim for your opponent’s hips when tackling - make the hips your sole focus.

BUMPING

A player can legally bump an opponent when the ball is within five metres.

Lean towards the opponent, pushing hard from the foot furthest from the opponent.

The arm is bent, with the elbow tucked into the side.

Make contact with the shoulder and upper arm - preferably when an opponent is settled on one foot, so he is easier to unbalance.

The bumping player should keep his feet on the ground at all times. Only bump when an opponent does not have the ball. If he does have the ball - apply a tackle.

Tip: To get the correct 'feel' of the bump, gently bump into a teammate and have him bump into you at the same time. This is usually done in the pre-game warm-up.

SPOILING

Spoiling is an effective method of preventing an opponent from marking or gaining possession of the ball. Once again when spoiling, especially from behind, the spoiling player must not infringe by making contact with his opponent’s back, head or shoulders. If performed correctly, spoiling can be an attacking skill, whereby the ball can be placed to the advantage of teammates.  

Chest Mark

Approach the opponent from one side. Keep your eyes on the ball.

Punch the ball with a clenched fist before it reaches the opponent’s arm.

Overhead Mark

The spoil should be used when a player is not confident of marking.

The fist should be clenched and arms outstretched ('long arms') at point of contact with the ball.

As with marking, the spoiling player’s run must be timed to gain maximum height with the arm following straight through the flight of the ball.

Be careful not to put the other hand on the back of an opponent’s neck as this is an infringement.

SHEPHERDING

Shepherding is a tactic used by a player to give a teammate a clearer path with the ball. Shepherding is achieved with an outstretched arm which acts as a barrier between the player who has the ball, or is about to take possession, and an opponent (s) who is anxious to stop him.

A player can be shepherded by an opponent provided the ball is not more than five metres away.

A free kick is awarded against a player who shepherds an opponent and makes contact with the face, head, neck or shoulder. A free kick is also given if a player attempts to shepherd a player who is in the air attempting to mark the ball.

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