View source for Tackle (football move)

{{Short description|Defensive move in various forms of football}}
{{Distinguish|Tackle (gridiron football position)}}
{{more footnotes needed|date=April 2009}}
[[File:Caddy tackling Pendlebury (cropped).jpg|thumb|alt=A player attempts to stop his opponent from disposing of a ball by wrapping his arms around the opponent's chest|A tackle in [[Australian rules football]]]]
Most forms of [[football]] have a move known as a '''tackle'''. The primary purposes of tackling are to dispossess an opponent of the ball, to stop the player from gaining ground towards goal or to stop them from carrying out what they intend.

The word is used in some [[contact sport|contact]] variations of football to describe the act of physically holding or wrestling a player to the ground. In others, it simply describes one or more methods of contesting for possession of the ball. It can therefore be used as both a defensive or attacking move.

== Name origin ==
In [[Middle Dutch]], the verb {{lang|dum|tacken|italic=yes}} meant to grab or to handle. By the 14th century, this had come to be used for the equipment used for fishing, referring to the rod and reel, etc., and also for that used in sailing, referring to rigging, equipment, or gear used on ships. By the 18th century, a similar use was applied to harnesses or equipment used with horses. Modern use in football comes from the earlier sport of rugby, where the word was used in the 19th century.

== Association football ==
{{See also|Sliding tackle}}
[[File:Soccer tackle.JPEG|thumb|left|upright=0.9|A tackle in [[association football]]]]
Unlike other codes, tackles in [[association football]] have to be predominantly directed against the ball rather than the player in possession of it. This is achieved by using either leg to wrest possession from the opponent, or sliding in on the grass to knock the ball away. A defender is permitted to use their body to obstruct the motion of a player with the ball, and this may be part of a successful tackle.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=http://www.humankinetics.com/excerpts/excerpts/soccer-has-three-basic-tackles|title=Soccer has three basic tackles|last1=Hargreaves|first1=Alan|work=human-kinetics|access-date=2018-09-17|last2=Bate|first2=Richard|language=En}}</ref> Pulling a player to the ground in the style of tackle common to other codes is completely absent from the game (this would be considered "violent conduct" and result in a red card (dismissal)).

Although some contact between players is allowed, the rules of association football significantly limit the physicality of tackles, explicitly forbidding contacts which are "careless, reckless or [use] excessive force".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://digitalhub.fifa.com/m/50518593a0941079/original/khhloe2xoigyna8juxw3-pdf.pdf|title=Laws of the Game 2018/19|website=FIFA.com|page=101|access-date=17 September 2018}}</ref> Almost all tackles where the tackler's legs make contact with the opponent before the ball are considered illegal, and heavy contact after initially touching the ball may also be penalised.

Illegal tackles are [[Fouls and misconduct (association football)|fouls]] and are punished with a [[direct free kick]] (or [[Penalty kick (association football)|penalty]] if committed within the penalty area) for the opponent's team. Such incidents are common, with dozens of occurrences in a typical match. In most cases these fouls are not considered [[Fouls and misconduct (association football)|misconducts]], however yellow cards (cautions) may be delivered for more egregious fouls that constitute "[[Unsportsmanlike conduct|unsporting behaviour]]". If a foul tackle endangers the tackled player's safety, it is likely to be considered as "serious foul play" by the referee and punished with a red card (dismissal).

[[File:Cole Diamanti and Gerrard England-Italy Euro 2012.jpg|thumb|[[Alessandro Diamanti]] (22) slide tackles [[Steven Gerrard]] (4) at [[UEFA Euro 2012|Euro 2012]]]]
Tackles that involve lunging at an opponent with both legs, regardless of whether the ball is won, are generally considered to constitute serious foul play and hence result in a sending-off.{{citation needed|date=May 2020}} This explicitly includes "scissoring"{{Citation needed|reason=The 2016/17 IFAB Laws of the Game do not mention scissoring|date=March 2017}}<ref>{{Cite web |last=The Football Association |title=Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct |url=http://www.thefa.com/football-rules-governance/lawsandrules/laws/football-11-11/law-12---fouls-and-misconduct |access-date=2022-06-26 |website=www.thefa.com |language=en}}</ref> (tackling with legs apart, so as to trap the opponent's leg or legs in between), which is likely to be punished with a sending-off (red card), as it poses a high risk of severe knee injury to the player being tackled. Tackling with ''studs up'' is considered dangerous.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://worldsoccer.about.com/od/glossary/g/gl_dangerous_play.htm |title=What You Need to Know about Free Kicks and Penalties in Soccer |publisher=[[About.com]] |access-date=21 June 2016 |archive-date=23 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923043709/http://worldsoccer.about.com/od/glossary/g/gl_dangerous_play.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> A ''studs up tackle'' is made when a player lunges into a tackle with a leg or both legs outstretched exposing the soles of their boots. Referees are encouraged to at the very least caution (yellow card) players who commit such challenges.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.esrefs.com.au/AA/2014/studs-up.pdf |title=Archived copy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190325111138/http://www.esrefs.com.au/AA/2014/studs-up.pdf |archive-date=2019-03-25 |url-status=}}</ref>

Additionally, an illegal tackle which is also a [[professional foul]] is considered misconduct.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/football/blog/espn-fc-united/68/post/3374280/tactical-fouling-is-spoiling-football-time-for-the-rulemakers-to-stamp-it-out|title=Time to stamp out tactical fouls|work=ESPN.com|access-date=2018-09-17|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Wright|first1=M.|last2=Hirotsu|first2=N.|date=2003|title=The Professional Foul in Football: Tactics and Deterrents|journal=The Journal of the Operational Research Society|volume=54|issue=3|pages=213–221|jstor=4101614|doi=10.1057/palgrave.jors.2601506|s2cid=7990993}}</ref>

The most spectacular form of tackle in association football is the [[Sliding tackle|slide tackle]], wherein a tackler slides, leg extended, along the ground, aiming to hit the ball away.<ref name=":0" /> This form of tackle carries a high risk of committing a foul.

"[[Diving (association football)|Diving]]" in association football involves tackled players exaggerating the physicality of tackles, so as to gain favourable decisions from the referee.

== Australian rules football ==
[[File:Liam Picken tackling Jordan Lewis while handballing.jpg|thumb|alt=A player attempts to prevent his opponent from handballing by holding on to him|[[Western Bulldogs]] player [[Liam Picken]] tackling [[Jordan Lewis]] of [[Melbourne Football Club|Melbourne]], who is attempting a [[handball (Australian rules football)|handball]]]]

In [[Australian rules football]], the move commonly described as a "tackle" is similar to in rugby and involves wrapping, holding or wrestling a player who has possession of the ball to the ground.  Tackling players not in possession of the ball is not allowed, this is considered “[[holding the man]]” and penalised with a free kick to the opposition.

As there is no [[offside (sport)|offside rule]] in Australian rules football, players can be tackled from any direction, and are often blindsided.  For this reason, the sport allows players to [[shepherding (Australian rules football)|shepherd]] and bump their opponents within 5 metres of the ball, to protect the ball carrier.

A tackled player must immediately dispose of the ball legally, by [[kick (football)|kicking]] or [[handball (Australian rules football)|handballing]], but not by throwing or dropping the ball. If this is not done, a [[holding the ball]] [[free kick (Australian rules football)|free kick]] will be awarded to the tackler. If the ball is knocked free by the tackler, pinned to the player by the tackler, or the player unsuccessfully attempts a kick or handball, a free kick will only be awarded if the ball carrier is deemed to have had a prior opportunity to dispose of the ball prior to being tackled.  If a player has not had prior opportunity to dispose of the ball and a tackler knocks the ball free during a tackle then no free kick is paid and the game continues.

A tackle must only contact below the shoulders and above the knees, and a player is able to be thrown to the ground, so long as the tackle is deemed not to be reckless or likely to cause injury. There are also rules outlawing pushing in the back making tackling more difficult. Tripping, by both hand or foot, is not allowed and can be a [[AFL Tribunal|reportable offence]].

Players wear little to no padding to cushion the impact of tackles, however players generally wear mouthguards to protect their teeth.

=== Types of tackles in Australian rules ===
[[File:Hodge tackling Laird.jpg|thumb|[[Rory Laird]] attempts to break a [[Luke Hodge]] tackle]]
There are many types of tackles in Australian rules football:
* '''perfect tackle''' – when a player lays a tackle on an opponent that has had prior opportunity to dispose of the ball and in the process makes it impossible for their opponent to dispose of the ball. For example, if a tackler pins an opponent's arm, then the opponent cannot possibly [[handball (Australian rules football)|handball]], and if they pin both arms, then it is nearly impossible to legally execute a kick. A player is almost always rewarded for a perfect tackle (except in the case of a slam tackle – see below).
* '''gang tackle''' – when the player in possession is tackled by more than one opponent at the same time.
* '''[[high tackle]]''' – any tackle which infringes on the opponent's neck or head. This includes any tackle which slips above the A/C joint. This is illegal and the penalty is a free kick.
* '''coathanger''' – slang for high contact to the head, usually by a stiff arm, which causes a player to land flat on their back. It is often accidental due to the high pace of the game. The penalty may be a free kick if deemed accidental or a reportable offence which may result in suspension.
* '''diving tackle''' – when a player leaves the ground in attempting to tackle
* '''slinging''' – a player ''slung'' to the ground in a tackle
* '''broken tackle''' – when a player is able to break free of a tackle
* '''[[spear tackle]]''' – also known as a dangerous throw in rugby, it is a [[AFL Tribunal|reportable offence]] and may result in suspension
* '''[[push in the back]]''' – Any tackle which forces the player forward, into the ground, or both, from behind. This is an illegal tackle and the penalty is a free kick.
* ''[[bump (football)|bump]]'' or '''hip and shoulder''' tackle is a legal Aussie rules tactic for both dispossession of the player with the ball and also impeding players involved in a contest but not in possession of the ball. The difference between a bump and a tackle is that arms are not used in a bump, which must be made side-on using the hip and or shoulder. Not all bumping is legal, however. Aggressive head on bumping or "charging" of a player with the ball is often described as "rough play" and is a reportable offence, this is particularly so if a player is deemed to have their head down over the ball in an attempt to picking it up off the ground when the bump is applied or contact is made above the shoulders. Standing ground against an oncoming player, however, is legal.
* '''slam tackle''' – relatively new term for a tackle which results in an opponent's head being deliberately slammed to the ground. It is often associated with the pinning of the arms of an opponent so that they cannot cushion the impact of their head on the ground. Although tolerated in days gone by in recent years, in 2009, the AFL branded this a dangerous type of tackle. Incidents in the professional AFL involving [[Byron Pickett]] and [[Darren Milburn]] have come under particular scrutiny.<ref>[http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,25043235-23211,00.html AFL not so tackle happy after Darren Milburn's tackle last season] by Bruce Matthews. {{Nowrap|February 12}}, 2009</ref>
* '''wing tackle''' or '''[[Chicken wing tackle]]''' – when one arm is pinned in a tackle. After sustaining severe damage from this type of tackle during the [[2009 AFL season]], [[Brent Harvey]] called for this type of tackle to be banned.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,25402009-19742,00.html |title=AFL may pluck out 'wing' tackle after Brent Harvey injury |date=28 April 2009 |newspaper=Herald Sun |access-date=21 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090502115214/http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,25402009-19742,00.html |archive-date=2 May 2009}}</ref>

=== Other tackling methods ===
Although the term "tackle" is used in Australian rules to exclusively describe wrapping, holding or wrestling a player in possession, there are also several other ways of contesting possession in Australian rules that other sports would describe as a "tackle"  and that also involve a degree of contact.

Other defensive actions are generally categorised as ''[[one percenter (Australian rules football)|one percenters]]''. The defensive tactic of punching away (commonly known as spoiling) from a player is allowed. ''Smothering'', which involves using the arms or body to get in the way of an opponent's kick as it leaves their boot, is similar to a ''charge down'' in rugby football.

== Gaelic football ==
[[Gaelic football]] defines tackling as wresting the ball from an opponent's hands. Bumping is allowed on the player with the ball, but a player cannot be grabbed.

==Gridiron football{{anchor|American & Canadian football (gridiron football)}}==<!-- This section is linked from [[Tackle for loss]] -->
[[File:Navy-UMass.jpg|thumb|[[College football]] game: [[Navy Midshipmen football|Navy]] quarterback Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada (center) is tackled by [[UMass Minutemen football|Massachusetts]] defenders [[James Ihedigbo]] (left) and Charles Walker (right).]]
In [[American football]] and [[Canadian football]], to tackle is to physically interfere with the forward progress of a player in possession of the ball, such that his forward progress ceases and is not resumed, or such that he is caused to touch some part of his body to the ground other than his feet or hands, or such that he is forced to go out of bounds. In any such case, the ball becomes [[dead ball (American football)|dead]], the down is over, and play ceases until the beginning of the next [[football play|play]].

A tackle is known as a [[quarterback sack]] when the [[quarterback]] is tackled at or behind the [[line of scrimmage]] while attempting to throw a pass. A '''tackle for loss''' is a tackle that causes a loss of yardage for the opposing running back or wide receiver. This happens when the quarterback is sacked, when either a rusher or a receiver is tackled behind the line of scrimmage, or when the ball is fumbled behind the line of scrimmage and was picked up by an offensive player who does not manage to move past the line before being tackled. When a player who does not have the ball is taken down, it is generally referred to as a block.

Tacklers are not required to wrap their arms around the ball carrier before bringing him to the ground; in fact, the ball carrier is often "tackled" by the defender taking a running start and hitting the ball carrier to knock them to the ground. Tackles can also be made by grabbing the ball carrier's jersey (or even hair, should it be long enough and allowed to dangle freely from beneath the helmet) and pulling him to the ground. As mentioned above, the referee can declare that a play is dead if the ball carrier's forward progress has been stopped, even if he has not actually been taken to the ground.

To protect players from potentially catastrophic injury, there are some restrictions on tackles and blocks. At no time may a defensive player tackle an offensive player by grabbing the facemask of their [[football helmet|helmet]]; doing so incurs a 15-yard penalty and the victimized team is awarded a new set of downs. Although [[spearing (gridiron football)|spear tackles]] are allowed in gridiron football, a player may not use his helmet to tackle an opponent as the technique can cause serious injury to both players (more often the tackler, due to the force of reaction on the tackler, which is apt to be beyond the limit that the neck can handle) and also warrants a 15-yard penalty as well as a fresh set of downs if committed by the defending team; this is known as "spearing the player". A similar penalty is assessed to any player attempting to make contact with his helmet against another opponent's helmet, which is known as a [[helmet-to-helmet collision]]. Grabbing a ball carrier by the pads behind his neck and pulling him down is known as a "horse collar", a method which has been made illegal at all levels of American football.

It is also illegal to tackle a player who has thrown a forward pass (generally a quarterback) after he has released the ball; doing so is called "roughing the passer" and incurs a 15-yard penalty and a fresh set of downs for the team with the ball. However, in the NFL a player can continue forward for one step, which means that often a player who is committed to attacking the quarterback will still make a tackle. Place kickers and punters are afforded an even greater protection from being tackled.

Once the play is ruled complete, no contact is permitted; a player who makes contact with an opponent after the play is charged with "unnecessary roughness" and his team is assessed a 15-yard penalty.

Blocks that [[clipping (American football)|occur in the back of the legs and below the knees]], [[glossary of American football#C|initiated below the waist]], or [[clothesline (disambiguation)|clothesline]]s are also generally prohibited and players who use them are subject to much more severe penalties than other illegal tackles. However, a player who plays on the line ''can'' block below the knees ([[cut block]]) as long the block is within five yards of the line and the player they block is in front of them and not engaged by another blocker ([[chop block (American Football)#Chop Block|chop block]]).

In the [[National Football League]] (NFL), tackles are tracked as an unofficial statistic by a scorekeeper hired by the home team. Though the statistic is widely cited, the league does not verify that the counts are accurate.<ref>{{cite news |last=Clark |first=Kevin |title=The NFL's Make-Believe Stat |date=October 9, 2012 |newspaper=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10000872396390444897304578044610803692432 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151219210026/http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10000872396390444897304578044610803692432 |archive-date=December 19, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>

On November 12, 2022, [[Carlton Martial]] of Troy recorded his 546th tackle to break the Division I FBS record for most tackles in a career.<ref>{{cite news|title=Martial breaks tackles record; Troy rallies for victory|newspaper=Dothan Eagle|date=November 12, 2022|url=https://dothaneagle.com/sports/college/troy/martial-breaks-tackles-record-troy-rallies-for-victory/article_795a49dc-62f0-11ed-a8cd-df59599ff8c1.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Troy LB Carlton Martial sets NCAA record for career tackles|work=ESPN.com|date=November 12, 2022|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/35012136/troy-lb-carlton-martial-sets-ncaa-record-career-tackles}}</ref>

== International rules football ==
[[International rules football]] is a hybrid game between [[Australian rules football]] and [[Gaelic football]].
Tackling in International Rules is subject to similar rules as Australian rules football, but with some subtle differences. Tackling is only allowed as low as the waist, whereas it is allowed down to the knees in Aussie Rules. One handed tackling has been banned in International Rules since the [[2008 International Rules Series]].

==Rugby football==
===Rugby league===
{{See also|One on one tackle|Dump tackle}}
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In [[rugby league]] the ball-carrier can be tackled by any number of defenders from any direction. The initial contact in the tackle must be made below the ball carrier's neck or it will be deemed a [[high tackle]] and penalised. A tackle in rugby league is completed when any of the following occurs:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.playnrl.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/ARL-Rules-book-2015.pdf |title=Archived copy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304051045/http://www.playnrl.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/ARL-Rules-book-2015.pdf |archive-date=2016-03-04 |url-status=}}</ref>
*The attacking player's ball or the hand or arm holding the ball comes into contact with the ground while still held by one or more defenders.
*Although still on his feet, the attacking player's forward momentum has ceased while still held by one or more defender.
*Being held by a defender, the attacking player makes it evident that he has succumbed to the tackle and wishes to be released in order to play-the-ball.
*A defender places a hand on the attacking player lying on the ground.

Once the tackle is completed, the ball-carrier must be allowed to get to his feet to '[[playing rugby league#Play-the-ball|play-the-ball]]' and the defensive team must retreat 10 metres (except 2 markers, facing the tackled player). [[Spear tackle]]s are illegal in rugby league, with most tackles in which the defender is lifted 'above the horizontal' bringing about penalties in the modern game. A stiff arm tackle is an offence. A 2012 New Zealand study found that over 659 tackles are made per game in professional rugby league.<ref>{{cite journal |vauthors=King D, Hume PA, Clark T |title=Nature of tackles that result in injury in professional rugby league |journal=Hutt Valley District Health Board |pmid=22458826 |doi=10.1080/15438627.2012.660824 |volume=20 |issue=2 |pages=86–104 |year=2012 |s2cid=46483040 }}</ref> Of all the [[rugby league positions]], {{rlp|sr}} averages the most tackles.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Rogers |first1=Tim |first2=Richard |last2=Beesley |title=Fitness for Rugby League |year=2006 |publisher=coachrugbyleague.com.au |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140125024352/http://coachrugbyleague.com.au/Documents/International/Fitness%20for%20Rugby%20League.pdf |url=http://coachrugbyleague.com.au/Documents/International/Fitness%20for%20Rugby%20League.pdf |archive-date=25 January 2014 }}</ref>

===Rugby union===
In [[rugby union]], a player must be brought to ground for a [[rugby union gameplay#Tackle|tackle]] to be completed. The tackled player must release the ball, but the ball is not dead and a ''[[rugby union gameplay#Ruck|ruck]]'' forms to contest possession of it. If the ball carrier is not brought to the ground a ''[[rugby union gameplay#Maul|maul]]'' will usually form. High/reckless or stiff arm tackles laws once dictated any contact made above the shoulders was an offence. Now, even if contact starts below the shoulders, if the head is involved in any reckless tackle it results in the offending player being given a yellow card and therefore sin binned. World Rugby now defines a reckless tackle as being any contact where the tackler "knew or should have known that there was a risk of making contact with the head of an opponent, but did so anyway"<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/38322884 |title=High tackles: World Rugby changes rules over head contact |work=[[BBC Sport]] |date=14 December 2016 }}</ref>

== Non-tackling variants ==
For various codes of football, variant codes have been developed which substitute out the tackling element, making the game less physical. In these games, either a being touched by an opponent or, in some codes, having a tag on the player's person removed, has effects similar to a tackle in the parent code.
{| class="wikitable"
|+Major non-tackling variants
!Parent football code
!Major non-tackling variants
|-
|Gridiron
|[[Touch football (American)|Touch football]]
[[Flag football]]. 
|-
|Rugby
|[[Touch rugby]]
* [[Touch (sport)|Touch]]
* [[League tag]]
* [[Tag rugby]]
* [[American flag rugby]]
|-
|Australian
|[[Rec footy]]
|}

==Other uses==
Other non-football games that feature ball-tackling or similar concepts include [[hurling]], [[hockey]] and [[shinty]], while tackling of people is featured in games like [[kabaddi]]. With the increasing popularity of football in the late 19th century, tackling had been integrated into field-based chasing games such as [[British Bulldog (game)]],<ref>[[Chet Grant]]: ''Before Rockne at Notre Dame. Impression and Reminiscence.'' Dujarie Press, Notre Dame, Indiana, 1968, p.&nbsp;54.</ref> [[British Bulldog (game)#Pom-Pom-Pull-Away|Pom-Pom-Pull-Away]] and [[British Bulldog (game)|British Bulldog]].<ref>Sharon Baker, Jane Watkinson: ''Games Using Tag Concepts.'' In: Jane Watkinson: ''Let's Play! Promoting Active Playgrounds.'' Human Kinetics, Champaign, Illinois, 2009, {{isbn|978-0736070010}}, p.&nbsp;92.</ref><ref>Tim Lynch: ''Quality invasion games. Red Rover or British Bulldog?'' In: ''Active + Healthy Magazine.'' Volume 20, Issue 3/4, Australian Council for Health, Physical Education and Recreation, Adelaide 2013, p.&nbsp;27.</ref> For younger boys, these children's games became essential for the acquisition of football skills.<ref>Hugh Craig: ''The Scrub Full-Back. A Gridiron Story of Skill, Thrills and Determination.'' In: ''Boys' Life. The Boy Scouts' Magazine.'' Boy Scouts of America, New York City, October 1913, p.&nbsp;3.</ref><ref>[[Walter Prichard Eaton]]: ''Youth's Encounter: Pom-Pom-Pull-Away.'' In: ''Outing.'' Vol. 64, No. 5, Outing Publishing Co., New York, August 1914, p.&nbsp;625.</ref>

== Tackle types ==
{{Original research|table|date=November 2011}}

Some illegal tackle moves result in a penalty play, however others may be "reportable" offences — that is, the option exists for an official to penalise a player's conduct individually rather than during the game refer it to a tribunal for deferred penalty.

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" 
|+ style="background:#888888; color:#ffffff" | '''Allowable / forbidden tackles by football code'''
|-
! Code
! [[sliding tackle|Sliding]]<br>tackle
! [[spear tackle|Spear]]<br>tackle
! [[dump tackle|Dump]]<br>tackle
! Body <br>tackle
! [[Ankle tap]]
! Diving <br>tackle
! [[shepherding (Australian rules football)|Bumping]]/<br>blocking
! Shoulder<br> charge
! Intercept<br> ball
! [[chicken wing tackle|Chicken wing]]
! Other
|-
| [[Association football|Association]]{{Refn|Tackling with the hands strictly not allowed|group=note|name=assoc}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{depends|{{smaller|Restricted}}{{Refn|Minor charge or push, shoulder-to-shoulder only, if both players are in direct battle for possession|group=note|name=assocminor}}|}} 
| {{depends|{{smaller|Restricted}}{{Refn|Foot only|group=note|name=assocfoot}} }} 
| {{No}}
|
|-
| [[Australian rules football|Australian rules]]
| {{No|No <br>{{refn|Classified as a trip|group=note|name=trip}}}}
| {{No|{{smaller|Reportable}} }}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Depends|{{smaller|Restricted}}{{Refn|Between knees and shoulders, no pushing in the back|group=note|name=austr}} }}
| {{No|No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes|Yes <br>{{refn|within 5 metres of ball|group=note|name=with}} }}
| {{No|{{smaller|Reportable}} }}
| {{Yes}} 
| {{No|{{smaller|Reportable}} }}
| Spoil, Shepherd, Smother
|-
| [[Gaelic football|Gaelic]]<br>{{refn|Tackling with the hands not allowed|group=note|name=hands}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{depends|{{smaller|Restricted}}{{Refn|Only on player with the ball|group=note|name=withball}} }}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{depends|{{smaller|Restricted}}{{Refn|No interference allowed|group=note|name=interf}} }} 
|
|-
| [[Gridiron football|Gridiron]]
| {{No}}<br>{{Refn|group=note|name=trip}}
| {{Yes}}{{Refn|Illegal if Leading with Head|group=note|name=grid}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
|
|-
| [[Rugby league]]
| {{No|{{smaller|Reportable}} }}
| {{No|{{smaller|Reportable}} }}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}} <br>{{refn|No grappling around the neck|group=note|name=neck}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No|{{smaller|Penalty}} }} 
| {{No|{{smaller|Penalty}} }} 
| {{depends|{{smaller|Restricted}}{{Refn|No knock ons allowed|group=note|name=noknock}} }}
| {{No|{{smaller|Reportable}} }}
| Charge down
|-
| [[Rugby union]]
| {{No|{{smaller|Reportable}} }}
| {{No|{{smaller|Reportable}} }}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No|{{smaller|Penalty}}}}
| {{No}}
| {{depends|{{smaller|Restricted}} }} 
| {{No|{{smaller|Penalty}}}}
| Charge down
|}

;Notes
{{Reflist|group=note}}

==Controversial techniques==
* [[spear tackle]] (dangerous throw) – (illegal in both rugby codes and Australian rules)
* [[high tackle]] (illegal head-high tackle) – rugby league and Australian rules (see also [[Coathanger (Australian rules football)|coathanger]])
* [[grapple tackle]] – a controversial rugby league tackling technique similar to a [[chokehold]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/league/why-the-grapple-tackle-is-a-matter-of-life-and-death/2005/09/16/1126750128234.html |title=Why the grapple tackle is a matter of life and death |work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |date=16 September 2005 |access-date=21 June 2016}}</ref>
* [[chicken wing tackle]] – also banned in rugby league
* [[horse-collar tackle]] – banned in gridiron football by the NFL, the NCAA, and the CFL. This tackle involves the defender reaching his hand inside the ball carrier's collar, grabbing the collar (and usually, the collar of the shoulder pads), and pulling player straight down or backwards and down. The tackle has the potential to cause severe injuries to the tackled player's neck, legs and ankles. It is considered an "equipment tackle", meaning the protective equipment used by the players is what is used to make the tackle (similarly, a face-mask tackle is considered an "equipment tackle"). The horse-collar was made infamous by Dallas Cowboys [[safety (American football position)|free safety]] Roy Williams when he performed it on Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver [[Terrell Owens]].

== See also ==

* [[Checking (ice hockey)|Checking]] - similar concept in ice hockey

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category multi|position=left |Tackle (American football)|Tackle (association football)|Tackle (Australian rules football)|Tackle (Canadian football)|Tackle (Gaelic football)|Tackle (rugby)}}

{{Gridiron football maneuvers}}
{{Australian rules football terminology}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Tackle (Football Move)}}
[[Category:American football terminology]]
[[Category:Association football terminology]]
[[Category:Australian rules football terminology]]
[[Category:Rugby league terminology]]
[[Category:Rugby union terminology]]
[[Category:Laws of Australian rules football]]
[[Category:Australian rules football skills]]
[[Category:Tackling sports]]