The Yo-Yo Run: How to Get Open When a Defender Is Glued to You

Imagine you are standing on the soccer field. You want the ball. Your teammate has the ball and looks right at you.

But there is a big problem. A defender is standing right next to you. They are so close you can hear them breathe. If your teammate passes the ball to you now, the defender will just step in and steal it.

What do you do?

You do the Yo-Yo Run.

A yo-yo is a toy on a string. You throw it away from you, and then it snaps right back into your hand. You can do the exact same thing with your body to get away from a defender.

How to Do the Yo-Yo Run

The Yo-Yo Run has three simple steps. You must do them in the right order.

• Step 1: Walk away. First, you must trick the defender. If you want the ball passed to your feet, start by jogging or walking away from the ball. Run toward the opponent's goal. The defender will think you are trying to run deep. They will run backward with you to stop you. You have just pulled the defender out of the space you actually want to use.
• Step 2: Plant your foot. Once the defender is running hard with you, stop suddenly. To do this, plant your outside foot hard into the grass. Bend your knees so you do not lose your balance. This is the hardest part because you have to stop your body instantly.
• Step 3: Snap back. Now, sprint back toward your teammate with the ball. Because the defender was running backward, they cannot stop as fast as you can. They will keep sliding backward for a split second. That split second is all you need. You are now completely open.

Defenders are like shadows. They usually only move when you move. If you just stand still and wait for the ball, the defender wins. If you run straight toward the ball, the defender runs with you and wins.

But human brains cannot react instantly. When you suddenly change direction, it takes the defender half a second to realize what you did. In soccer, half a second is a very long time. It is enough time to catch the ball, turn around, and look for a pass.

Three Rules for a Perfect Yo-Yo

To make this trick work in a real game, keep these three rules in mind:

• Change your speed: Do not run at the same speed the whole time. The first part (walking away) should be slow or medium speed. The second part (snapping back) must be a super-fast sprint. The sudden change in speed is what tricks the defender's brain.
• Make eye contact: Do not do the Yo-Yo Run if your teammate is looking at their own feet. Wait until they look up and see you. That is the exact moment to start your run.
• Call for the ball late: Do not yell "Pass!" before you start. If you yell too early, the defender will wake up and follow you. Wait until you have snapped back and are wide open. Then, call for the ball.

You do not need a full soccer team to practice this. You can practice in your backyard or at a park.

If you have a partner, have them stand still. They are the defender. Start right next to them. Walk three steps away, plant your foot, and sprint back. See how much space you can create before they can touch your shoulder.

If you are alone, put a cone on the ground. The cone is the defender. Start next to the cone, jog away, plant, and sprint back past the cone to receive a ball you kicked against a wall.

You do not need to be the fastest player on the team to do this. You just have to be the smartest. Next time a defender is glued to you, throw the yo-yo, snap it back, and take your space.