Best U11 Youth Soccer Moves | #35-#40 – Shielding/Physicality

TOP SOCCER MOVES – RANKED LISTS

U11 YOUTH SOCCER

MOVES #35-#40 – SHIELDING/PHYSICALITY

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The best thing a developing soccer player can do is develop dominant ball skills needed to master the 1v1 (one verses one) game.

This means getting thousands of touches on the ball to develop deep comfort and control with all parts of the body and feet.  This also means mastering specific skills to keep the ball away from an opponent, move the ball around an opponent, and take the ball away from an opponent.  As a player grows up, dominant ball skills provide the best foundation for developing dominant passing skills.

Younger players can work through each move and skip those which are too difficult.  Older players can work through each move and spend time mastering those which are weak or missing from their game.

 

Moves #35 - #40 – Shielding / Physicality

1^st Touch + Dribbling + Moves + PHYSICALITY + Ball Control = BALL DOMINANCE

Physicality is a part of almost every sport – football, basketball, and soccer.  Physicality can give you an edge over your opponent.  It evens the playing field when your opponent is fundamentally and/or athletically superior. 

There are only a handful of techniques and drills which teach physicality, so you may as well learn them early and practice them often. 

Shielding allows you the ability to keep possession of the ball under heavy pressure.  If you are trapped or in a tight spot, unable to beat an opponent 1v1, and without a passing lane, using your body to protect or “shield” the ball from an opponent can buy you extra time for your teammates to help you out.

Another benefit to shielding is that it teaches Physicality.  It is impossible to effectively protect a soccer ball without fully and completely putting a body on an opponent who is trying to take it from you.

There are very few drills in this list of Top Soccer Moves, but these two Keep Away drills are a great way to both teach shielding, aggression, and physical play.  Even youth who are not naturally aggressive have no choice but to step it up in these drills. 

Once you have developed comfort shielding the ball, the next step is to add moves and cuts into the mix.  When an opponent is applying heavy pressure and likely pushing you while you are shieling it is easy to use their momentum against them.  A simple Pull Back or Outside Cut will allow you to spin away from their pressure and move up field. 

Shielding + Pull Back or Outside Cut is extremely effective.  Invest some time into developing these techniques and you will see immediate payoff. 

As a final thought, a key element in soccer is keeping possession of the ball.  Once you win the ball you don’t want to give it back to the other team.  The ability to shield is one more tool in your belt which will enable you to dominate the ball and win the 1v1 soccer battle. 

35. Indoor Video – Foot Off Ball Shielding

 36. Indoor Video – Foot On Ball Shielding

37. Outdoor Video – Keep Away – Shielding

38. Outdoor Video – Keep Away – Dribbling

39. Indoor Video – Shielding + Pull Back

 40. Indoor Video – Shielding + Outside Cut

 

Follow Links Above For Video Of Each Move

 

Best U11 Youth Soccer Moves (Link Below)

Full List Of Top U11 Moves