Shielding & Body Position
Learn to protect the ball using your body against imagined or real pressure.
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Use your body to protect the ball from a defender while staying in possession.
1 cone (or partner) as defender, 1 ball, 5x5 yard space.
- Place cone as an imaginary defender
- Keep the ball on the far side of your body from the cone
- Move in a circle around the cone, always keeping your body between ball and cone
- Use the sole of your foot to drag and control the ball
- Practice turning and switching which side you shield
- Progress: have a partner apply light pressure instead of cone
- Body always between defender and ball
- Arm extended (not pushing) for awareness
- Sole rolls and shifts keep ball moving
- Quick switch of side when defender moves
- Letting the defender get a foot to the ball
- Standing still instead of moving the ball
- Using only one side of the body to shield
- Sole rolls predictable — defender steps in
Foundation
Stationary cone, shield the ball for 30 seconds.
Form
Cone moved every 10 seconds, shield continues.
Tempo
Passive partner walks around you, shield for 60 seconds.
Pressure
Passive partner adds light pressure, you keep ball for 60s.
Match Rhythm
Active partner — you keep ball for 30s without losing it.
Mastery
Active partner, shield AND release with a pass to a teammate.
Close Control
Ball stays within playing distance, multiple touches per second, quick adjustments
Foot Surface Variety
Uses inside, outside, sole, and instep of both feet appropriately
Change Of Direction
Sharp cuts, turns, and direction changes while maintaining ball control
Head Up / Awareness
Scans field while dribbling, doesn't stare at ball constantly
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