The tackle in Gaelic football with Charlie Harrison

Defensive play is often derided in Gaelic football, but learning how to tackle properly and how to dispossess an opponent are some of the most important attributes a player needs to have - especially in the modern game.

This week Sligo's GAA All Star defender Charlie Harrison talks to www.gaa.ie about the art of tackling. As well as being a Games Promotion Officer with Sligo GAA, Charlie is considered to be one of the finest defenders in the game.

Here, the St John's clubman outlines the importance of mastering the skill and gives some of his top tips and advice.

"I think coaches can sometimes neglect the tackle a little and the proper, key points are not pointed out. It's taken as a given really that you just try and take the ball and the proper skills aren't coached. It is a hard one to nail down because the boundaries of it are not really that definite."

Patience

"Patience is a massive part of it I find. If you get kids and ask them to tackle they go mad and they are not really thinking about what they are doing, they are just trying to get the ball as quick as they can so what I try and tell the kids is to have patience and get shoulder to shoulder with the person you are trying to tackle. If you are doing that you are not grabbing. I always tell kids that the person has to solo or play the ball so you have a lot more time because all you are doing is running and you don't have to worry about the ball.

"A key thing to remember is that it is always the inside arm or the near hand as it is sometimes called. The hand that is closest to the ball. You have to wait until your opponent plays the ball - a solo, a hop or when they kick it - that is your chance to pounce."

Not just a skill for defenders

"If forwards are not tackling, it makes our job as a defender so much more difficult. If they are not tackling, the person on the ball has so much time. If I have gone to mark my man and I am shoulder to shoulder with him, but he loses me again and the person outside has time to solo it, it gives them time to pick out a pass with little pressure. It's very important for the forwards to put pressure on the players coming out of defence with the ball because it makes our job as defenders easier."

Practice makes perfect

"We do tackling all the time in training because in this day and age there are quality free-takers all over the pitch, left and right side. If you are giving away frees it is basically a score. It is something you have to concentrate on all the time. It is one of our main focuses really."

The best exponents of the tackle

"Tomás Ó Sé from Kerry is a superb tackler, but the best player I have seen is David Kelly, the Sligo corner forward. He is a fantastic tackler if somebody comes out with the ball. He always gets shoulder to shoulder and uses the inside arm. The way he tackles is textbook."

For more information on defensive play in Gaelic football, click here . For more information on the OTú Coaching Model click here .