(an) X-rated tackle
A terrible tackle that could end in a bad injury, a tackle that is horrible to watch. In the world of cinema, X-rated is used to describe a film that is suitable for adults only and so when it is used to describe a tackle in football it refers to something that is not suitable for children to see as it is so bad.
- Example: ‘Andre Villas-Boas last night blasted Charlie Adam and urged him to apologise for the x-rated tackle on Gareth Bale that overshadowed last night’s goalless draw…’ (The Independent)
- Example: ‘X-rated tackle sees Becks sent off in defeat for LA Galaxy’ (www.football.co.uk)
Welcome to the website that helps students interested in football improve their English language skills. Football fans can practise with lots of free language resources, including football-language podcasts and our huge football-language glossary.
Can you do a two footed tackle legally
A two-footed tackle would probably be described as an ‘X-rated tackle’ or a ‘horror tackle’ – the player would most likely be given a red card.