VIDEO: Evasive skills developments

This activity builds from a footwork activity into a 1 v 1 evasive game. It will help develop awareness and go forward for both attackers and defenders.

1. To warm up, put players in pairs, facing each other. Using quick feet movements, each player has to get behind and face their partner’s back to win.
2. Main practice: Lay out a 10m box. Line up attackers facing defenders across the box.
3. When the ball carrier moves, the defender on the opposite side can move.
4. The attacker scores 2 points if they can get to the opposite side of the box and 1 point if they manage to get out either side of the box without being tackled by the defender.
5. Start with a touch or tag tackle then move onto a contact tackle.
6. Develop by reducing the size of the box to challenge the attackers even more, passing or roll the ball to the attackers as they move into the box, starting the attackers in a corner and only have the other sideline as one point.

COACHING TIP

Stay light on your feet

WHAT TO CALL OUT

• Hold the ball in two hands
• Accelerate and keep balanced
• Drive off one foot to change direction
• Dip your shoulder one way and move in the opposite direction

A SIMPLE PRACTICE

1. Play a small-sided, 4 v 4 game.
2. To assist the players develop these skills, use a wide playing area so that there is plenty of space between the defenders for the attacking players to use their evasive skills. As they improve, reduce the pitch width and therefore the space between defenders. Use tackling when appropriate.