Footwork drill
One-on-One Evasion
Beat a live defender in a confined space, which is the real skill cone work only imitates.
- Time
- 15 minutes
- Players
- 2 to 8 players
- Intensity
- High
- Equipment
- Ball, cones
- Space
- 5m x 5m block
- Positions
- All positions
Setup
A 5m x 5m block with cones, one ball, with the two players starting at opposite ends.
How to run it
- On a call both of you run your line and turn the corner, and the carrier attacks the defender inside the small block.
- Run at the defender rather than at the space - you have to draw them off their base and make them move to get to you.
- Keep your eyes on them and stay engaged rather than looking at where you want to go, and accelerate out of your step rather than admiring it.
- Do 8-12 reps then swap roles, with full recovery between because this is maximal.
- The confined space means you cannot rely on pace, only on the step.
Coaching cues
- Draw them off their base - make them move to get to you
- Keep the defence engaged, look at them
- Accelerate out of your step
Common mistakes
- Running at the space rather than at the defender, so they are never committed
- Stepping too early, from where the defender can simply adjust
Related drills
- Narrowing Channel EvasionFind the exact width at which your evasion breaks down, and then train there.
- Evading the PlayerBeat a defender inside a channel that forces you to step rather than run around.
- Reactive Side-Step vs DefenderTrain the reactive cut, which is mechanically a different movement from a pre-planned one.
- The StepGroove the side step - the plant, the lean and the acceleration out of it.
- Cue Cone AgilityPattern the deceleration and lateral cut that a genuine side step is built on.
- Goose Step PatterningLearn the timing-disruption step used to beat cover defence in open field.