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Football: Ball Shield - whole body

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DESCRIPTION

Set up as shown with 2 players and 1 ball between the two.

The area should be a 4x4 diamond, however the shape and size can be modified depending on the level of your players and the main aspect of ball shielding you want to achieve.

Play begins with the external player making a firm pass into the middle player. The external player closes down his pass and aims to win the ball back.

The player in the middle aims to keep the ball, shielding it away from the defender for 10 seconds and then acclerates out of the diamond.

COACHING POINTS

Work on good firm passes that will allow the first touch of the players to be tested and improved.

Player in the middle should be ready and 'on their toes'.

Get the ball shielder to keep their body between the ball and the defender.

Can they use both feet and turn according to where the defender is?

Can they remain with a low stature and use their shoulder to hord off the defender?

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Spanish Flair: Shielding the Ball and Team Possession

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Position players in 2 lines on each side of the area as shown in the diagram. Number each player from 1-6.

This game is a throw back to the Disney classic, Bedknobs and Broomsticks. The coach calls out a number between 1 and 6. The numbered player from each team must run around the outside of the field and through the goal at the top or bottom of the diagram onto the field of play.

The coach serves a ball into the middle of the area. Players must compete to win the ball and attempt to dribble or shoot the ball through the goal at the opposite end of the area from which they entered.

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Dribble Dash - First past the post:

Position 2 teams of 6 players in opposite corners of the same end line and number players on each team from 1 to 6.

Place a gate (2 cones, 3 yards apart) at the opposite end of the area to the goal. Position the coach as a goalkeeper in the goal.

The coach calls out a number from 1 to 6. The respective players from each team run with the ball following the directional arrow as shown in the diagram, to the gate at the end of the grid.

The first ball to cross through the gate is the ball that is used (the other one can be discarded).

The players then compete in a 1 vs 1 to get a shot on goal.

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1 v 1 with Target Players:

Players 1 and 3 (target players) feed the ball into the player who is facing them. This player must then try and get the ball to the target player at the other end. If the other player wins the ball, he can play to any target player.

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Alligators Alley:

Divide the group into teams of 4. One player in goal, two defenders and one attacker. The defenders (Alligators) adopt a crab position (belly up, hands and feet on the floor) and start in the middle of the grid.

The attackers must try to dribble around the alligators and score a goal.

Defending

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