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

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2. 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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3. 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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4. 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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5. 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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