tackling
Bringing someone down
Tackling is the act of seizing and bringing someone down, especially in football and rugby where it stops an opponent's advance.
The word extends to confronting any difficult task or problem head-on: We spent the weekend tackling the garage cleanup.
In sailing, tackling refers to the system of ropes and pulleys used to hoist and adjust sails.
As fishing gear, it covers the equipment needed to catch fish—rods, reels, lines, and lures.
Engage in physical combat
- clinchSettle beyond doubt
- takedownForced grounding maneuver
- pinPointed metal fastener
- holdMaintain in grasp
submission · grip · lock · throw · counter · spar · grappling · judo
Second-level defensive position
- safetyFreedom from harm
- cornerbackDefensive back covering receivers
- blitzSwift, overwhelming offensive
- sackRough fabric bag
block · interception · fumble · defense · pressure · formation · kickoff · punt
Speaking to or handling
- confrontingAddressing directly
- approachingComing toward something
- handlingTreatment or management
- resolvingReaching a conclusion
solving · undertaking · engaging · grappling · facing · overcoming · managing · navigating
Contested pack restart
- ruckRugby's ground-level contest
- maulAttack with brutal force
- lineoutCaught batted ball
- tryMake an effort
flanker · hooker · lock · prop · winger · fullback · offload · knock-on
Offensive or illegal
- trippingLosing balance walking
- chargeCost or accusation
- cautionCareful attention to risk
- divingEntering water deliberately
simulation · obstruction · sliding · challenge · yellow-card · red-card · reckless · crunching
Shape or document
- wrap-upConcluding summary or review
- leverageBorrowed capital for amplified returns
- positioningArranging in specific locations
- timingArt of choosing moments
footwork · driving · pursuit · angle · breakdown · follow-through · square-up
Protective head covering
- mouthguardProtective dental insert
- cleatsSpiked sports shoes
- jerseyKnitted pullover garment
- chinstrapStrap securing headgear
kneepads · shinguards · headgear · padding
wrestle
Engage in physical combat
hold · submission · grip · lock · throw · counter · spar · grappling · judo · jiu-jitsu
linebacker
Second-level defensive position
- safetyFreedom from harm
- cornerbackDefensive back covering receivers
- blitzSwift, overwhelming offensive
sack · block · interception · fumble · defense · pressure · formation · kickoff · punt · recovery
addressing
Speaking to or handling
- confrontingAddressing directly
- approachingComing toward something
- handlingTreatment or management
resolving · solving · undertaking · engaging · grappling · facing · overcoming · managing · navigating · attacking
scrum
Contested pack restart
try · flanker · hooker · lock · prop · winger · fullback · offload · knock-on · penalty
foul
Offensive or illegal
diving · simulation · obstruction · sliding · challenge · yellow-card · red-card · reckless · crunching · fifty-fifty
form
Shape or document
- wrap-upConcluding summary or review
- leverageBorrowed capital for amplified returns
- positioningArranging in specific locations
timing · footwork · driving · pursuit · angle · breakdown · follow-through · square-up
helmet
Protective head covering
- mouthguardProtective dental insert
- cleatsSpiked sports shoes
- jerseyKnitted pullover garment
chinstrap · kneepads · shinguards · headgear · padding
force
Strength or compulsion
- impactForceful contact or consequence
- collisionForceful contact between objects
- hitSuccessful contact or strike
jarring · crunching · violent · powerful · crushing · punishing · hard-hitting · ferocious · intimidating · dominant
- sports termssoccer, football, basketball, tennis, golf
- sports movesdunk, layup, dink, spike, serve
- youth footballflag football, touch football, pee wee football, junior league, youth leagues
- footballfootball, touchdown, field goal, quarterback, end zone
- aggressionhostility, violence, attack, fight, combativeness
- defensedefense, defending, protecting, protection, security
tacklingavoiding
Deliberately staying clear
evading · dodging · sidestepping · shirking · ducking
tacklingevading
Skillfully keeping away from
dodging · juking · sidestepping · breaking free · eluding
tacklingabandoning
Leaving permanently behind
neglecting · avoiding · procrastinating · ignoring · quitting
- blocking and tacklingFootball's core physical skills
- tackling drillsExercises practicing defensive stops
- tackling dummyPadded form for contact practice