Jockeying is one of the most important defensive skills in soccer, but it’s also one of the most overlooked at the youth level. Too many young defenders think defense means diving in for tackles or lunging at the ball the second an attacker gets close.
The problem is that this aggressive approach leads to lots of fouls, missed tackles, and attackers running past defenders who are off balance. Good jockeying is the opposite – it’s about staying calm, keeping your balance, and making the attacker work hard for every yard.
In this post, we’ll break down proper jockeying technique and give you simple drills to practice it. Whether you’re a coach working with a team or a parent helping your child improve, these fundamentals will help defenders become much harder to beat in 1v1 situations.
What Is Jockeying in Soccer and Why It Matters
Jockeying is a defensive technique where you position your body between the attacker and their target (usually the goal or a good passing lane) without immediately trying to win the ball. The idea is to slow down the play, force the attacker to make a mistake, or guide them into a position where they can’t hurt your team.
Your job is to control what the attacker can do. You’re making them work harder, giving your teammates time to help, and waiting for the right moment to actually go for the ball.
Jockeying is especially important in wide areas where attackers have space to run, and near the penalty box where one wrong tackle can lead to a foul and a dangerous free kick. Defenders who master this skill can handle 1v1 situations without taking big risks.
The best part about jockeying is that it works even if you’re not the fastest player on the field. Good positioning and technique can help slower defenders handle much quicker attackers.
Key Jockeying Principles for Young Defenders
Stay Low and Side-On
The most important thing is body position. Defenders should keep their knees bent and stay low, like they’re sitting in an invisible chair. This keeps the center of gravity down and makes it easier to react quickly in any direction.
Don’t face the attacker square-on. Instead, angle your body so you’re side-on, with one shoulder pointing toward the attacker. This position lets you backpedal, move sideways, or sprint forward depending on what the attacker does. Keep your weight on the balls of your feet, not back on your heels, so you can push off quickly.
Close the Gap, Then Hold
When an attacker gets the ball, approach them quickly at first. But here’s the key – slow down when you get about 2-3 yards away from the ball. This is close enough to put pressure on the attacker but far enough away that they can’t easily beat you with a quick touch or fake.
Once you’re in this position, hold it. Don’t keep backing up and don’t dive in. Make the attacker make the first move. If they try to dribble past you, you can react. If they slow down or stop, you’ve done your job by killing their momentum.
Eyes on the Ball, Not the Feet
Young defenders often get mesmerized by all the fancy footwork attackers do. Stepovers, feints, and body movement can be distracting, but they don’t actually move the ball. Train defenders to watch the ball itself, not the attacker’s feet or hips.
When you focus on the ball, you can’t get faked out by tricks that don’t actually change where the ball is going. You’ll react to real threats instead of moves that don’t matter. This keeps defenders steady and ready to react instead of diving in at the wrong time.
Common Mistakes When Teaching Jockey Technique
Charging In Too Early
The biggest mistake young defenders make is trying to win the ball as soon as the attacker touches it. They sprint full speed toward the ball and either foul the attacker or get beaten by a simple touch to the side. Teach patience – the goal is to slow the attacker down, not immediately tackle them.
Standing Too Tall
Defenders who stand upright can’t change direction quickly. They’re slow to react and easy to beat with sudden movements. Keep emphasizing the low, athletic stance even when it feels awkward at first.
Watching the Hips or Feet
As we mentioned, attackers use body movement and footwork to trick defenders. Defenders who watch these movements instead of the ball will constantly be caught off guard. Keep drilling “watch the ball” until it becomes habit.
Backing Up Too Much
Some defenders get so worried about getting beaten that they keep backing up until the attacker has a clear shot or easy pass. You need to find the right distance – about 2-3 yards – and hold it there.
Drills to Practice Proper Jockeying
Jockey Shadow Drill
Set up pairs with one attacker and one defender in a 10×10 yard square. The attacker moves side to side at walking pace with the ball, changing direction every few steps. The defender practices jockey steps to mirror the attacker’s movement without trying to win the ball.
Focus on the defender maintaining proper body position – low stance, side-on angle, and staying the right distance away. The attacker should vary their pace and direction to make the defender work. Switch roles every 30 seconds so both players get practice.
This drill teaches the fundamentals without the pressure of actually defending. Players can focus purely on footwork, balance, and positioning before adding the complexity of real 1v1 situations.
1v1 Channel Drill
Create a narrow channel about 4-5 yards wide and 15 yards long using cones. Place a small goal or target at one end. The attacker starts with the ball at one end and tries to dribble through the channel to score. The defender starts at the other end and works on jockeying technique to prevent the goal.
The narrow space forces both players to be more technical. The attacker can’t just run around the defender, and the defender has to use proper positioning instead of just backing up. Play for 30 seconds, then switch roles.
This drill adds pressure while still controlling the environment. The confined space makes jockeying more important than pure speed or strength.
Pressure + Recover Drill
Set up with an attacker dribbling toward a small goal from about 20 yards out. The defender starts 10 yards away from the attacker and has to sprint to close the gap, then transition into jockey technique when they get close.
This drill practices the most common real-game scenario – an attacker with space and time, and a defender who has to recover quickly. The key is learning to slow down and get into proper jockey position instead of just sprinting straight into a tackle.
Focus on the transition from sprint to jockey stance. Defenders should arrive under control and ready to react, not flying out of control. Time how long it takes for attackers to get shots off – good jockeying should significantly slow down the attack.
Cone Gates Jockey Drill
Set up several small gates (2 cones about 1 yard apart) scattered around a 20×20 yard area. The attacker tries to dribble through as many gates as possible in 60 seconds, while the defender uses jockeying technique to prevent them from reaching the gates.
This drill teaches defenders to use positioning to cut off options rather than just chasing the ball. The multiple targets force defenders to think about angles and how to guide attackers away from dangerous areas.
Make Defense Smarter, Not Harder
Good jockeying makes defenders much harder to beat. It’s about staying calm, using good technique, and making smart decisions about when to go for the ball.
Players learn to control 1v1 situations instead of just reacting. They force attackers to work harder, make mistakes, or move into areas where teammates can help out.
Practice these skills regularly and they become automatic. Players stop thinking about the technique and start reading what attackers are doing. They commit fewer fouls, give up fewer goals, and help their team defend better as a group.
Want to help your child or team improve defensive skills? Athletes Untapped connects families with private soccer coaches who focus on position-specific training—including defense and 1v1 tactics. Explore our training resources or find a qualified coach near you for hands-on instruction.
