Shielding skills

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Shielding is a skill that allows players to possess the ball by placing their body between the defender and the ball.

Playing the ball free requires a number of specifically developed Shielding skills, including shielding and feinting, which allows a player in possession to create space to play/pass the ball or to move away from an opponent. In tight situations playing the ball free presents a lower risk factor than when trying to dribble past opponents.

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Fundamentals

The fundamentals necessary to help a player successfully receive the ball under pressure and to create more time in preparation for shielding or playing the ball free include:

• Good basic ball control skills

• Moving into free space before receiving the ball

• Proper timing of when to come off the marking defender before receiving the ball

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When and How to Practice Shielding

Once young players are fairly well coordinated and have a good basic skill level, specific practice for Shielding skills and playing the ball free should start. Important points to remember when practicing shielding practice are:

• Sufficient space to work – 10 players in the

18 yard box (18 yards x 44 yards) as a guide

• Each move should be explained and demonstrated by the coach

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Drills

• Each player has a ball and they work in pairs. The pairs are spaced about 6-7 yards apart as shown in Diagram 1. The drill begins with the last pair who dribbles forward with the ball on the outside of the line. Each time they reach another pair; they execute a Shielding skills move and then take a standing position 6-7 yards past the last pair. Then the next pair repeats the drill. The line moves the length of the field and back. The same principle can be used in a single line zigzag formation as shown in Diagram 2.

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