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Ball Control Under PressureDefending & Winning the BallFoundationalIntermediateU9-U10Focused Drill
Partner Shielding Foundations
10-15 minutes Partner, Group 1 soccer ball, 4 cones per pair5.0(1 rating)
Listen to your Coach
Coach Carter
A short spoken walk-through of this drill.
Goal
Maintain possession within the grid for the full 10 seconds without the defender touching the ball.
Setup
Create a small 3x3 yard square grid using four cones. Place two players inside the grid with one ball.
Drill Instructions
1. Player A starts with the ball and Player B acts as the defender. 2. On the whistle, Player A must keep the ball inside the grid while shielding it from Player B for 10 seconds. 3. Player A should use their arms for balance and to feel the defender's movement. 4. After 10 seconds, reset and repeat for 3 rounds before switching roles.
Coach Tip
Keep your knees bent and 'sit' into the contact to lower your center of gravity, making you harder to push.
Avoid
Avoid standing flat-footed or keeping your back completely turned; stay side-on to see both the ball and the defender.
Court diagram coming soon
Ready to train?
Add this drill to your Active Drills to start tracking time and progress.
AI Coach feedback
Upload or record a clip of yourself on this drill and your AI coach will spot what's working and what to fix next.
Setup
Create a small 3x3 yard square grid using four cones. Place two players inside the grid with one ball.
Drill Instructions
1. Player A starts with the ball and Player B acts as the defender. 2. On the whistle, Player A must keep the ball inside the grid while shielding it from Player B for 10 seconds. 3. Player A should use their arms for balance and to feel the defender's movement. 4. After 10 seconds, reset and repeat for 3 rounds before switching roles.
Goal
Maintain possession within the grid for the full 10 seconds without the defender touching the ball.
Coach Tip
Keep your knees bent and 'sit' into the contact to lower your center of gravity, making you harder to push.
Avoid
Avoid standing flat-footed or keeping your back completely turned; stay side-on to see both the ball and the defender.
Watch the Drill
Video coming soon.
QR
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Court diagram coming soon
Listen to your Coach
Coach Carter
A short spoken walk-through of this drill.
Ready to train?
Add this drill to your Active Drills to start tracking time and progress.
AI Coach feedback
Upload or record a clip of yourself on this drill and your AI coach will spot what's working and what to fix next.