thumb|290px|right|Sliding tackle performed by player in blue ([[Mohammad Daneshgar).]]
A sliding tackle, also called slide tackle, is a tackle in association football in which one leg extends to push the ball away from the opposing player.
Sliding tackles can often be sources of controversy, particularly when players being tackled fall down over the tackler's foot (or the ball stopped by the tackler's foot), and penalties, free kicks and cards are assessed (or are conspicuous by their absence).
Commonly associated fouls and misconduct
A sliding tackle is not in itself foul play; however, there are a number of fouls that commonly occur during the execution of a sliding tackle.
Examples of such fouls punishable by a direct free kick or penalty kick include:
- When a player behaves in a manner considered by the referee to be careless, reckless or using excessive force:
- kicks or attempts to kick an opponent;
- trips or attempts to trip an opponent;
- jumps at an opponent;
- charges an opponent;
- tackles an opponent.
Careless means that the player has shown a lack of attention of consideration when making a challenge or that they acted without precaution. Reckless means that the player has acted with complete disregard to the danger to, or consequences for, their opponent. Using excessive force means that the player has far exceeded the necessary use of force and is in danger of injuring an opponent.
Careless challenges are punished by only a direct free kick or penalty kick. However, reckless challenges are also punished with a caution (yellow card) for unsporting behaviour as well as a direct free kick or penalty kick, while challenges committed with excessive force are also punished by a sending-off (red card) for serious foul play as well as a direct free kick or penalty kick.