(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)
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.