Although some contact between players is allowed, the rules of association football significantly limit the physicality of tackles, explicitly forbidding contacts which are "careless, reckless or [use] excessive force". Almost all tackles where the tackler's legs make contact with the opponent before the ball are considered illegal, and heavy contact after initially touching the ball may also be penalised.
Although some contact between players is allowed the rules of association football significantly limit the physicality of tackles explicitly forbidding contacts which are "careless reckless or [use] excessive force" Almost all tackles where the tackler's legs make contact with the opponent before the ball are considered illegal and heavy contact after initially touching the ball may also be penalised