When defenders have players running at them in 1v1s, they often just need to touch the ball out from their opponent’s feet to gain control for themselves.

This is a much simpler tackle to the slide or block tackle. Use the following coaching tips and soccer drill to get players working on a poke tackle. The poke tackle gets players to knock the ball away from the attacker so it either goes out of play or they win it for their team. It concentrates on 1v1 defending and getting the ball off an opponent who is shielding it.

Players in this soccer drill need to:

• Approach attacker from the side or behind.
• Get close to the attacker.
• Use the foot nearest to ball.
• Focus on the ball.
• Extend foot from side or through opponent’s legs.
• Stab ball away using toes to kick near its centre.
• Do not make contact with opponent.
• Keep their body balanced to make the tackle.
• Try and make the tackle with good timing or they will give away a foul.
• If the ball is in play, can the defender win possession by putting their body between it and attacker?