Prepare the first decision
10 minPlayers this activity: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 · 6 attending
Begin at walking pace in the numbered stations. Walk toward an imaginary blocker, show one direction with the body and take the ball the other way. Share the ball when needed; an observer watches the same decision and takes a ball turn on the next assigned round.
Make the defender choose first. The body cue and ball exit go in different directions.
Run the activity
- Walk toward an imaginary blocker, show one direction with the body and take the ball the other way.
- Pause on a raised hand and point to the space you chose.
- Swap the ball on the round signal and notice this feature: The body cue and ball exit go in different directions.
Play
- Walk toward an imaginary blocker, show one direction with the body and take the ball the other way.
- Ground play only. No heading, sliding, body contact or tackles at a player's feet. Intercept loose ground passes only. Offer water or a pause whenever needed.
Watch for
The body cue and ball exit go in different directions.
If you see: The carrier makes the feint too close to the shadow.
Try: Start the choice earlier and stop if the gap closes.
Organisation
3 separate stations. Roles: carrier and receiver / shadow; extra players observe. Advance one slot each round. 2 turns cover every player. A first carrier turn can take up to 60s of activity. Waiting is active observation; add balls or reduce group size if it becomes too long.
7 rounds × 60 seconds. Timing: 420s activity · 60s briefing · 60s rest · 60s transition.
Adjust the challenge
Easier: Keep the shadow stationary on one side.
Next step: Let the shadow choose a side after the approach begins.
Move on: Stop the balls and identify the start positions for fake and exit.
20 × 25 m clear area with a 2 m perimeter buffer. 3 numbered stations, 6 numbered player slots, 3 balls and 10 cones. Each station shares one ball and rotates roles; dashed arrow shows an example travel or pass route. Focus: Choose a route past a patient defender. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations. Three steps show gate escape using the first round's numbered players. Solid gold routes show the ball; dashed pale routes show player movement; dotted blue routes show a shadow or defender. Routes stay inside each numbered station. 1. See both exits: Check both sides before the signal. 2. Choose the open gate: Take the free crossing under control. 3. Clear the route: Look up before choosing the next route.
Round-by-round player roles
| Round | Assignments |
|---|---|
| 1 · 60s | 1: carrier (station 1); 4: receiver / shadow (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 5: receiver / shadow (station 2); 3: carrier (station 3); 6: receiver / shadow (station 3) |
| 2 · 60s | 1: receiver / shadow (station 1); 4: carrier (station 1); 2: receiver / shadow (station 2); 5: carrier (station 2); 3: receiver / shadow (station 3); 6: carrier (station 3) |
| 3 · 60s | 1: carrier (station 1); 4: receiver / shadow (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 5: receiver / shadow (station 2); 3: carrier (station 3); 6: receiver / shadow (station 3) |
| 4 · 60s | 1: receiver / shadow (station 1); 4: carrier (station 1); 2: receiver / shadow (station 2); 5: carrier (station 2); 3: receiver / shadow (station 3); 6: carrier (station 3) |
| 5 · 60s | 1: carrier (station 1); 4: receiver / shadow (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 5: receiver / shadow (station 2); 3: carrier (station 3); 6: receiver / shadow (station 3) |
| 6 · 60s | 1: receiver / shadow (station 1); 4: carrier (station 1); 2: receiver / shadow (station 2); 5: carrier (station 2); 3: receiver / shadow (station 3); 6: carrier (station 3) |
| 7 · 60s | 1: carrier (station 1); 4: receiver / shadow (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 5: receiver / shadow (station 2); 3: carrier (station 3); 6: receiver / shadow (station 3) |
Equipment: 3 balls · 10 cones · 0 goals
Round-by-round player roles
C = carrier · R = receiver / shadow. Times are activity seconds; briefing, rest and transition are separate.
| Player | Station | R1 60s | R2 60s | R3 60s | R4 60s | R5 60s | R6 60s | R7 60s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | C | R | C | R | C | R | C |
| 2 | 2 | C | R | C | R | C | R | C |
| 3 | 3 | C | R | C | R | C | R | C |
| 4 | 1 | R | C | R | C | R | C | R |
| 5 | 2 | R | C | R | C | R | C | R |
| 6 | 3 | R | C | R | C | R | C | R |