Sliding Defense Drill

Instructions

1. 1ATT drives right along the 9m line to create a shooting angle.
2. 2DEF slides laterally to shadow ATT, maintaining arm-length distance.
3. 3ATT reverses direction and cuts left to test DEF's recovery.
4. 4DEF mirrors the change and stays goal-side to deny the center.
5. 5ATT explodes right again looking for a gap in DEF's stance.
6. 6ATT takes a standing shot; DEF must contest with hands high.

Coaching Points

• Slide your feet laterally — never cross them or you lose your recovery balance
• Keep your hips low and weight on the balls of your feet at all times
• Maintain exactly arm's length; closer invites a foul, further gives a free shot
• Mirror the attacker's shoulders, not their feet — feet fake but shoulders commit
• Stay patient and let the attacker initiate; react, don't guess

Common Mistakes

• Crossing feet during lateral slides, losing balance and recovery ability
• Standing too upright instead of staying in a low defensive stance
• Reaching with hands instead of moving feet to maintain position
• Overcommitting to a fake and letting the attacker cut behind
• Getting too close and fouling when the attacker initiates contact