Shielding the ballShielding the ball, otherwise known as screening, is useful for keeping possession of the ball. Sometimes you will have the luxury of being able to receive the ball or play it while in plenty of space. More often you will have a defender closing you down and trying to tackle you. This is where screening comes in handy.
Good body stength is essential for screening the ball. Defenders might try to push against you to get to the ball. Stand your ground and avoid getting knocked off balance. Keep the ball close to your feet. If the ball is well away from your body, beyond your playing distance, blocking an opponent in this way could be deemed obstruction and result in a free kick. Try to keep the defender guessing as to which way you wil turn. Gaurding the ball can create valuable time for your team-mates to give you support and options for passing. If your opponent is close to you, consider the option of leaning into him and rolling your body against him to make a turn. This is good for when you only need to gain a small amount of space for a shooting opportunity.
Return from Shielding the ball to Soccer Skills
|
