EVASION / ROLL OFF

Key Points

• Toe tap the ball approaching the opponent
• Plant the right foot forward towards the opponents left shoulder while transferring the ball to the left side
• Engage the opponent in a side to side charge
• Using their shoulder as a hinge roll off by swinging the left leg around and pivoting on the right foot
• Plant the left foot on the ground and transfer the ball back to the outside of the body, now the right side
• Bring the right leg around and accelerate away
• Use a low bounce clearing the opponent.

Practice the Technique

Drill 1 – Basic – Partner Roll

• Divide the players into pairs
• Ensure each pair has adequate space to perform the technique
• One player each pair performs the roll technique off their partner without a ball
• The technique should be performed at a walking pace initially allowing the players to focus on planting the correct foot and rolling in the correct direction
• The players should practice the technique off both sides
• After a set number of attempts reverse the roles
• As the players become more competent the pace should be increased gradually and a ball introduced

Drill 2 –Intermediate – Tackle Bag Roll

• This is an intermediate drill to practice the roll technique.
• Mark out a zig zag formation using 5 cones, each approximately 8m apart
• One player holding a tackle bag is positioned at each of the 3 middle cones
• These players must hold the tackle bag correctly using a sturdy grip, keeping it high for protection and with one foot forward to brace themselves
• The remaining players line up at one end of the formation
• Each player in turn jogs through the formation practicing the roll with the right and left shoulder at each alternate tackle bag

Drill 3 – Advanced – Roll and Shoot  

• Mark out a channel approximately 10m wide as shown
• Mark out a goal area at one end of the channel
• Divide the players into attackers and defenders, with one goalkeeper
• Each defender enters the grid in turn to be approached by an attacker who must perform the roll before moving away and shooting on goal
• The defender remains stationary providing token opposition initially but may continue to tackle the player to increase the difficulty of the drill
• Rotate the players after a set number of goes