Back to library
Ball Control Under PressureDefending & Winning the BallFoundationalIntermediateFocused Drill
Body Shielding Foundation
5-10 minutes Partner, Group 1 soccer ball
Listen to your Coach
Coach Carter
A short spoken walk-through of this drill.
Goal
Keep the defender away from the ball for the full 10 seconds without committing a foul.
Setup
One player starts with the ball between their feet, and the defender stands directly behind them.
Drill Instructions
1. Player A stands over the ball with a wide stance. 2. On the whistle, Player B tries to reach around and touch the ball with their foot. 3. Player A must shield the ball for 10 seconds by leaning back into the defender and shuffling side-to-side. 4. Player A uses their arms (bent at the elbow) to feel the defender's movement.
Coach Tip
Keep your center of gravity low—it's much harder to push over a squatting player than a standing one!
Avoid
Don't turn your back completely and stop moving; stay active on your toes to adjust to the defender's lunges.
Adjust on the fly
Make it easier
The defender can only move at 50% speed or use their hands on the attacker's hips to guide them.
Make it harder
Add a second defender or require the attacker to dribble through a small gate while shielding.
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
One player starts with the ball between their feet, and the defender stands directly behind them.
Drill Instructions
1. Player A stands over the ball with a wide stance. 2. On the whistle, Player B tries to reach around and touch the ball with their foot. 3. Player A must shield the ball for 10 seconds by leaning back into the defender and shuffling side-to-side. 4. Player A uses their arms (bent at the elbow) to feel the defender's movement.
Goal
Keep the defender away from the ball for the full 10 seconds without committing a foul.
Coach Tip
Keep your center of gravity low—it's much harder to push over a squatting player than a standing one!
Avoid
Don't turn your back completely and stop moving; stay active on your toes to adjust to the defender's lunges.
Adjust on the fly
Make it easier
The defender can only move at 50% speed or use their hands on the attacker's hips to guide them.
Make it harder
Add a second defender or require the attacker to dribble through a small gate while shielding.
Watch the Drill
Video coming soon.
QR
coming
soon
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.