Evading the Player

Setup

A 22m x 15m grid using the pitch markings. The defender stands somewhere on the 15m line; the attacker starts outside the 22 with the ball.

How to run it

1. The attacker must beat the defender while staying inside the 15m channel, and the defender's job is to pin them between themselves and the touchline, which forces the inside step.
2. Declare before you start whether it is touch or tackle.
3. Vary what you use every rep - pace, step, swerve, fend, even a chip - because a predictable single option is the fault this drill exists to expose.
4. Do 6-8 reps each side of the field then swap roles.
5. Add cones on the arc if you want to judge the quality of a swerve.