Shielding is a fundamental skill commonly used by football players. This helps them control the ball better and prevent opponents from winning possession. To learn more about this action, please read our following article.
What is Shielding?
According to Jiliace‘s sources, shielding is a basic skill in football that often helps players better control their predictions. Therefore, in football matches, ball conflicts between attacking players frequently arise. Knowing how to press correctly and with the right technique will prevent the opponent from taking the ball and avoid injuries.
The technique of pressing in football involves players using their football skills through movements of the chest, shoulders, and legs to put pressure on opponents. The goal is not for the opponent to recover the ball, but to maintain good ball control within their reach. All football players should know this method, especially right-backs and left-backs, so they should clearly understand the rules to increase effectiveness.
Shielding Technique in Football is Very Effective
You must know the following shielding techniques to achieve effectiveness:
Create Good Distance
According to references from Jiliace participants, when you have good shielding technique, recovering the ball in front of the opponent’s defender will be easy while ensuring no injury to either side. Use your body with your hips to create plenty of space between the ball and keep opposing players away from each other.
In addition, you can also use the method of bending your knees or widening your legs. In this position, your body’s centre of gravity should be lowered to help maintain balance, avoiding difficulties when the opponent wants to push you. Next, the player must move the ball to the other foot, away from the opponent’s defender, and use both arms to extend the distance. Finally, point your palms outwards to absorb and begin pushing the opponent away.
The above helps keep your elbows in a safe position, reducing the risk of being penalised or committing a foul by the referee. Below, we will guide you on how to create distance as follows:
Step 1: Use your body to create as much distance as possible between the ball and the opponent. Next, widen your legs, with your knees slightly overlapping, and lower your centre of gravity, as these positions prevent the other player from pushing you off the ball.
Step 2: Move the ball to your other foot to move it away from the opponent and create more distance.
Step 3: Use both arms to keep distance from the opponent by turning your palms outwards to create force to push the opponent further away.
Quick Shielding and Pressing the Opponent
The technique of quickly shielding and pressing the opponent is used a lot by professional players in matches. Below is how to both press and close in on the opponent:
Step 1: When the opposing team’s players have the ball, they must move quickly to get close so that the opponent does not have the opportunity to pass or control it. Step 2: Use your body to press your shoulders and legs into the opponent’s player, causing the opponent’s player to not react in time and lose the ball.
Shoulder and Chest Shielding Technique
To legally shield an opponent, use your chest and shoulders to push the opposing team’s player when a dispute occurs. The goal is to help you steal the ball easily and quickly.
To gain the upper hand in any close-quarters conflict, you can use shoulder and chest shielding skills. You need to lower your body’s centre of gravity, then slightly bend one leg at the knee, then extend the other leg straight to help maintain balance, while applying force to your shoulder to push the opposing player.
Good Judgement in All Ball Situations
Once you understand how to create distance with shielding techniques in football, you will be able to judge the trajectory of the ball. This helps players protect themselves better against difficult moves from opponents.
To achieve the above, you must withstand pressure and stick close to the opposing team’s defenders. Expand your observation skills by checking your trailing shoulder, then use your arm to feel their position. Next, move your shoulder left and right and then move so that the opponent cannot see the ball. However, these are only used for 5, 7-a-side pitches or artificial football pitches.
Body Shielding Technique
Use your body to shield and absolutely do not turn your back on the opponent’s defender. Because if you do not react quickly, you will easily get hurt. When blocking or holding the ball, the player must cross one leg when blocking.
Shielding Rules in Football
A dispute is only legal when both shoulders and chest are used simultaneously to press down on the opponent’s body. You must absolutely not use your hands on the other team’s player, as this will lead to the referee awarding a penalty or a foul.
In football, the shielding rules have clear regulations as follows: shielding legally, while not being penalised, only the shoulders, chest, and legs can be used. Limiting the use of both hands will lead to serious fouls and the risk of receiving a yellow or red card. The advice for players is to remain calm, always alert, active, and observe carefully when pressing to eliminate opponents or skillfully handle ball-holding situations, ensuring not to break the rules.
Shielding Exercises in Football
There is the most legal football approach for you to practice at home. You can lean against a wall or straight pole and use your feet to control the ball. Besides that, you can also invite someone to practice with you to help you achieve the best results.
The exercise of leaning against a straight pole while using your feet to control the ball is often practiced and performed by many professional players. Because this method is both simple and easy, it gradually helps you get used to pressure from behind.
For advanced shielding technique exercises, two people practice together, one holding the ball, the other approaching from behind with various ball-marking positions. In addition, you can watch videos on shielding techniques in football to improve your playing ability.
Shielding is an extremely important skill that helps you control the ball well. At the same time, it avoids the opponent’s ability to contest for the ball, increasing your scoring opportunities. Hopefully, with our article above, you will better understand this action and know how to apply it effectively.
