The rhythmic pattern is very recognizable

really not a football expert either, but this is what Robert& Collins has to offer (re: sports) as an entry.
No idea how this would fit into the context I am afraid

sports lingo

I found a site that gives the definition in French. It sounds like 'close guarding' to me.

Marquage à la culotte : expression d'origine masculine utilisée dans le jargon sportif pour définir un défenseur un peu trop collant, voire pressant, à l'encontre d'un attaquant. S'emploie généralement au football, où les marqueurs de culottes sont légion. Au même titre que les tireurs de maillots, soit-dit en passant...
Au rugby, dans ce genre de situation pour le moins inconfortable, on parle plutôt de déculottée. Surtout lorsqu'on prend 40 points sans les valises et qu'on s'en revient à la maison gros Jean comme derrière...
http://ephemere.midiblogs.com/tag/sport

The play can advance only with a forward pass (so there are no sprints for the end zone), **close guarding** is allowed, and defense is intense (especially on windy days, when gusts can play havoc with even the best pass). This Sunday the teams are fluid, with winners staying on the field and losers heading for the sidelines.
http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/printDS/4031

V. PLAYING RULES
1. The five second rule (**close guarding** player with ball) will be in effect.
https://www.lycoming.edu/intramurals/Rules.htm

Diagram 6 (A) Making a V-cut to get the ball and (B) Receiving Inside Hand-off.
Making a V-cut to get the ball begins with a fake toward the basket and a push-off with the far foot back toward the ball thus freeing oneself for the ball. This is fhe basic method that any potential pass receiver must use from any location on the court in order to free himself from a **close guarding** defender.
http://www.guidetocoachingsports.com/two-man_plays3.htm