Protecting the Ball in Football: Shielding Technique

Shielding is the technique of protecting the ball from an opponent with your body. This skill is especially important when the opponent is applying pressure, when you need to waste time, or while waiting for a teammate.

Basic Technique

Body Position: Stand between the opponent and the ball, using your body as a shield. The ball should be on the foot furthest from the opponent.

Center of Gravity: Lower your center of gravity — knees bent, center low. This makes it harder for you to be pushed off.

Arms: Spread your arms to the sides to maintain balance. However, do not push the opponent — that is a foul.

Ball Control: Manage the ball with short touches. Do not push it too far — the opponent might snatch it away.

Types of Shielding

Static shielding: Protecting the ball while staying in one place — waiting for a teammate to arrive or for a passing lane to open up.

Dynamic shielding: Moving sideways while protecting the ball. This allows you to confuse the opponent and create space.

Shielding in the corner: Protecting the ball in the corner of the field to waste time — used at the end of a game to preserve a victory.

When is shielding needed?

1. When you receive the ball with your back to the opponent — you need time to turn.

2. To stop a counter-attack — holding onto the ball until the team returns to defense.

3. The final minutes of the game — wasting time to maintain a winning score.

Training Methods

1v1 exercise: In a small circle (3m radius), one player protects the ball while the other tries to take it away. 30 seconds, then switch.

Back-to-wall exercise: Place your back against a wall and manage the ball with your feet. This is great for learning body positioning.

Try out the shielding technique in Playmatch games — this technique is very useful especially when the ball comes to you and an opponent is applying pressure from behind.