1. Waiting It Out
Shielding in soccer is a true test of a player's patience and sense of timing. By shielding the ball, the player is simply waiting for either a teammate to become available to receive a pass or for the opponent to give up enough space for the player to break away. A player shields the ball by keeping one foot on the ball and his body in between the ball and the opponent. Maintain contact with the ball or the referee will call an obstruction foul.
2. A Universal Skill
Every player on the field needs to be proficient at shielding, regardless of what position she plays. Shielding is a defensive skill. It should be used whenever a player needs to keep possession of the ball but can't dribble or pass to a teammate. This skill can be especially valuable to forwards who are being heavily guarded.
3. Keep Away
While shielding the ball, the player should keep the ball as far away from the opponent as possible. To accomplish this, plant one foot and lean your shoulder into the opponent. Extend your other foot and keep it on the ball. Keep the ball constantly moving to make it more difficult for your opponent to steal it. If the opponent moves to your front side, pull the ball back and turn so your body remains between the ball and the other player. If the opponent moves around your back, push the ball forward and rotate your body. Don't turn your back to your opponent because you won't be able to see what he is doing. Also, you get the greatest distance between your opponent and the ball by keeping your shoulder next to your opponent's chest.
4. Drill it to Perfection
In order to effectively shield the ball during a game, players need to perfect the skill in practice. Have your players stand in two side-by-side lines. Drop kick the ball a short distance in front of them and instruct them to sprint onto it. The player who reaches the ball first should shield it for 30 seconds while the second player attempts to gain possession. If the second player gets the ball, she should shield the ball for the remaining time. To add a level of difficulty, have the players sit down with their backs to the ball before they sprint to it.
5. Show Some Support
If a player is shielding the ball, his teammates need to immediately make themselves available to receive a pass. Ideally, the player should have at least two options of where to play the ball. Players should loudly call for the pass so the player who is shielding doesn't need to search for them.
Shielding in soccer is a true test of a player's patience and sense of timing. By shielding the ball, the player is simply waiting for either a teammate to become available to receive a pass or for the opponent to give up enough space for the player to break away. A player shields the ball by keeping one foot on the ball and his body in between the ball and the opponent. Maintain contact with the ball or the referee will call an obstruction foul.
2. A Universal Skill
Every player on the field needs to be proficient at shielding, regardless of what position she plays. Shielding is a defensive skill. It should be used whenever a player needs to keep possession of the ball but can't dribble or pass to a teammate. This skill can be especially valuable to forwards who are being heavily guarded.
3. Keep Away
While shielding the ball, the player should keep the ball as far away from the opponent as possible. To accomplish this, plant one foot and lean your shoulder into the opponent. Extend your other foot and keep it on the ball. Keep the ball constantly moving to make it more difficult for your opponent to steal it. If the opponent moves to your front side, pull the ball back and turn so your body remains between the ball and the other player. If the opponent moves around your back, push the ball forward and rotate your body. Don't turn your back to your opponent because you won't be able to see what he is doing. Also, you get the greatest distance between your opponent and the ball by keeping your shoulder next to your opponent's chest.
4. Drill it to Perfection
In order to effectively shield the ball during a game, players need to perfect the skill in practice. Have your players stand in two side-by-side lines. Drop kick the ball a short distance in front of them and instruct them to sprint onto it. The player who reaches the ball first should shield it for 30 seconds while the second player attempts to gain possession. If the second player gets the ball, she should shield the ball for the remaining time. To add a level of difficulty, have the players sit down with their backs to the ball before they sprint to it.
5. Show Some Support
If a player is shielding the ball, his teammates need to immediately make themselves available to receive a pass. Ideally, the player should have at least two options of where to play the ball. Players should loudly call for the pass so the player who is shielding doesn't need to search for them.
