Explosive 1v1 Shielding Battle
Strength & Power
Legend
- attacker
- defender
- ball
- shielding area
How it works
Shield and retain possession against maximum physical pressure from a defender using strength and body position.
What you need
- cones
- soccer ball
- scrimmage vests
Your focus
Physical strength in possession , holding the ball while a defender uses legal physical pressure , is a differentiating skill at higher levels. Training this in maximal physical contact builds the confidence and technique to hold the ball under the hardest opposition pressure.
5x5 yard box. Attacker stands with ball at feet, defender stands behind them.
On signal, defender applies shoulder pressure trying to win the ball.
Attacker holds for 10 seconds using body shielding, rolling, and foot protection.
Award 1 point for holding 10 seconds; 1 point for defender winning ball before 10.
8 rounds each position.
Debrief: what technique or body position was most effective?
Goal
You're there when the defender physically can't push you off the ball, your body position and low center of gravity are doing the work, not just your arms.
Helpful cues
- Low center of gravity, hips lower than defender's hips
- Feel their pressure and move the ball away from it, don't freeze
- Arms out for balance and to feel the defender, legal contact
Adjust the challenge
Make it easier
Strip it back
Defender applies 50% pressure only, allows practice of body position.
UpLVL it
Add the next challenge
Second defender enters at 5 seconds, double pressure.No account needed
Build a practice plan
Add drills, keep the plan in this browser, then share a link with your staff or parents.This library helps you find the right drill. Inside UpLVL the right drill finds the player.
This library helps you find the right drill. Inside UpLVL the right drill finds the player.After every practice, UpLVL automatically surfaces the drills each player needs to work on most. See it for yourself.