U8 Shielding Exercise

SHIELDING

Basic Possession with Body: Break players into two groups about 15 yards apart. Players each have a ball and face each other. each player picks out a shadow partner.

A) Each pair of players then dribbles the ball to the center of the field. As the players approach, they prepare to shield the ball from the on-coming player. At first start with a simple swivel of the hips so that the players pass each other, the body of the player shields the ball from the body of the opponent. When the pass each other, they swivel back the other way and complete their run to the far end of the field. In essence, you have two 90° swivels and the players pass each other back-to-back.

B) The next progression is for them to use a spin move as they approach. The first spin move is to make a 360° turn using four (4) small chopping steps with the inside of the foot or there will be a collision. After several runs like this progress to an outside of the foot turn again using four (4) very light touches on the ball to make the move.

C) Start with two (2) players a shielder and a person trying to get the ball. Player #1 is the shielder. The shielding player has the ball to the outside of their body. A common mistake is to have the ball between their legs. You want the entire body between the defender and the ball.

D) The shielder get LOW, almost as if they were sitting in a chair. A common mistake is to stand almost straight up. The problem with this is very easy to demonstrate, have a player stand straight up with the ball at their outside leg. A defender trying to steal the ball is allowed to get as close to the ball carrier as they want and try to poke the ball away. They should be able to easily reach the ball. Now have the attacker "sit in the chair." Again have the defender get as close as they want and try to poke the ball away. You will see that they cannot do it. By sitting in the chair, i.e. getting low, the attacker has created their own space denying it to the defender.

Basic Possession with Arms: After proper stance has been demonstrated you need to show them how to hold their arms. Players must play with their arms up and away from their bodies. There must be a space between the arm and the body of the player. What is described above is legal play. You can shield with your arms as long as you do not push your opponent away from them. That is the common mistake that players make and refs call.

A) Put the ball aside for a moment and just have two players assume the roles of shielder and defender. Have the defender try to encroach on the shielder's space by leaning into their shield arm.

B) Have the players switch positions with each other and let them go at it for a while. They will have a lot of fun with this. It teaches aggressiveness (within the rules) and breed's confidence.

C) The next step is to introduce the ball. Set players up as described above but this time let the shielder hold the defender of by moving their ball around with the outside of their foot (if the player tries to cut in front) and the inside of the foot, (if the player tries to come from behind). Do not let the ball handler move from their spot on the field. This is not a drill to see who can out run the other. Switch position after every "win". Stress stance and arm position.Click here for U8 GAMES