Shield the Ball in the Circle
In a circle of cones 8 m across, one player shields the ball for 20 seconds while a partner tries to kick it out. A pure shielding duel.
- Age
- U9–U16
- Players
- 4–16
- Duration
- 10 min
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Intensity
- High
- Area
- 10 × 10 m
- Type
- Technical
- Approach
- Global
- Format
- Football-adapted game
- Objectives
- Technical: 1v1 attacking, 1v1 defending
- Concepts worked on
- Technical:Shielding the ballTackling
- Physical:BalanceStrength
Training diagram
Legend
- Attacker
- Defender
- Run without ball
- Dribble
- Ball
- Cone
Shielding is a skill that grows only through contact with an opponent. The small circle stops the attacker from running away: the only option is to put the body between the ball and the defender, keep the ball on the far foot and turn as the defender moves around.
Objective
Protect the ball from a defender using the body, the arms and the sole.
Organisation
- Circles about 8 m in diameter, one per pair, one ball per pair.
How it works
- Attacker shields the ball inside the circle; the defender tries to kick it out.
- 20 seconds per round; a point for keeping the ball the whole time.
- Swap roles; 6 rounds each.
Coaching points
- Low centre of gravity, knees bent, wide stance.
- Ball on the foot furthest from the defender; use the sole to move it.
- Use the arm to feel (not push) the defender and keep distance.
Progressions
- Smaller circle.
- Two defenders against one shielder for 10 seconds.
Regressions
- Defender may only use the feet from behind, no contact.
Variations
- The shielder must dribble out through any side to score.
Key principles
- Body between ball and opponent.
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