Shielding (protecting the ball) is thought of as a way to keep the ball whenever a player is under pressure from an opponent. Unfortunately, players shield only to maintain possession. Once players become proficient at the below techniques they will move to the step where players will be in complete control, will feel less stress and be able to lift their head and create attacks from the shielding position.

Progressions:

Player in the ‘side-on’ position learns to put the ball in the ‘sweet-spot’ or the ‘safe-spot’ by rolling the ball from bottom of the foot to the inside of the foot. The side-on position involves a wide base (feet spread wide), knees bent (lowering center of gravity), and closest arm out (providing more width).

Player then uses the turns which they have learned in order to turn away from a defender who attempts to run forward around them to get the ball, or the shielder is able to push the ball away from the defender and ‘slide‘ around the ball in order to face the defender.