| While most acts on a soccer field are fouls only by | | | | with air, the ball acts as a natural cushion during these |
| degree, a few acts, however, are deemed fouls | | | | contests. This, in turn, helps keep everyone safe and |
| whenever they take place--regardless of how or | | | | uninjured. As a result, "fair tackles" are those in which |
| why they occur. One such act occurs through the | | | | a player contacts the ball first, before making any |
| clumsy use of the feet during an attempt to win it | | | | contact with the opponent. By contrast, a tackle |
| away from the other side. A "tackle" occurs when | | | | which first makes contact with the opponent before |
| one player takes the ball away from the other by | | | | touching the ball can wreak havoc various parts of |
| using the feet. A "foul tackle" occurs when that | | | | the opposing player's body--including the feet, the |
| player tackles the opponent, rather than the ball. | | | | shins, the ankles, the calves, and anyplace that is |
| Tackling the opponent instead of the ball | | | | within range of a misplaced foot. Doing so rsults in a |
| Soccer involves a struggle for the ball, and an | | | | a foul tackle, which is punished by a direct free kick. |
| attempt by both teams to put it into the other | | | | Though a common excuse among players is that |
| team's goal. As a result, players are constantly | | | | they "got the ball," the mere fact that they did, in |
| challenging each other for custody, and using their | | | | fact, contact the ball first does not end the matter. |
| heads, feet, and bodies to win it. One of the | | | | While perhaps not a "tackling" foul, tackles committed |
| quickest, and most direct ways for a player to take | | | | carelessly, recklessly, or with excessive force may |
| it away from an opposing player will be to tackle for | | | | still constitute the separate fouls of kicking, tripping, |
| possession with his feet. | | | | charging, or striking. |
| Since cleats are hard, and the ball is soft and filled | | | | |