Jockeying and Channeling
Defending
Legend
- player
- defender
- ball
- movement path
How it works
Jockey an attacker and channel them away from goal using correct defensive body shape.
What you need
- soccer ball
Your focus
Channeling attackers away from central areas and toward less dangerous zones is a core defending principle. Developing the correct angled body position and jockeying footwork early ensures players don't rely on gambling tackles.
Set up a 15x10 yard corridor with a goal at one end.
Attacker starts at one end with the ball; defender starts 3 yards in front.
Defender must use body shape to channel the attacker toward one sideline.
Defender should not tackle, only jockey and channel.
Attacker can only score by entering the central zone.
Score: defender earns a point if attacker reaches the end in the channeled zone.
Goal
Success is channeling the attacker onto their weak side at least 4 out of 5 reps, your body position told them where to go, not your sprint to catch up.
Helpful cues
- Side-on stance, open one path, close the other
- Slow steps backward, don't turn your back
- Force them where you want them, not where they want to go
Adjust the challenge
Make it easier
Strip it back
Wide corridor, easier to channel.
UpLVL it
Add the next challenge
Attacker gets 1 free sprint, defender must recover and reset.No account needed
Build a practice plan
Add drills, keep the plan in this browser, then share a link with your staff or parents.This library helps you find the right drill. Inside UpLVL the right drill finds the player.
This library helps you find the right drill. Inside UpLVL the right drill finds the player.After every practice, UpLVL automatically surfaces the drills each player needs to work on most. See it for yourself.