Shadow Jockeying Footwork
In a narrow channel, an attacker dribbles at walking pace and changes direction; the defender jockeys backwards, staying side-on and an arm's length away without tackling.
- Age
- U11–Senior
- Players
- 2–20
- Duration
- 10 min
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Intensity
- Medium
- Area
- 10 × 8 m
- Type
- Physical
- Approach
- Intermediate
- Format
- Circuit
- Objectives
- Technical: 1v1 defending
- Physical: Agility
- Concepts worked on
- Tactical:Delaying
- Physical:Change of directionBalance
Training diagram
Legend
- Attacker
- Defender
- Run without ball
- Dribble
- Ball
- Cone
Defenders who dive in get beaten. This drill builds the footwork to delay: a side-on stance, short backward steps and quick turns of the hips when the attacker changes direction. The attacker works at moderate speed so the defender can focus on technique before it becomes a real duel.
Objective
Develop side-on defensive footwork to follow an attacker's changes of direction without diving in.
Organisation
- Channels of 8 × 10 m, one pair per channel with one ball.
How it works
- The attacker dribbles from one end to the other at jogging pace, changing direction.
- The defender jockeys backwards at an arm's length, without tackling.
- 20 seconds, then swap; 6 rounds.
- Last two rounds: the defender may tackle (live 1v1).
Coaching points
- Side-on, one foot forward, weight on the front of the feet.
- Short steps; never cross your feet.
- Turn the hips quickly when the attacker cuts inside or outside.
- Watch the ball, not the attacker's feet.
Progressions
- Increase the attacker's speed.
- Narrow the channel to 6 m.
Regressions
- Attacker walks with the ball.
Variations
- The defender must force the attacker towards one marked side.
Key principles
- Delay, don't dive.
Share this task
Useful? Send it to your coaching staff or save the diagram.