The Side-On Shield: How to Keep Bigger Players from Stealing the Ball

When a defender runs up behind you, your first instinct is to turn your back to them. You think you are hiding the ball. But standing with your back flat against a defender is actually a trap.

When your back is to the defender, you are blind. You cannot see the field. You do not know if a teammate is open. Even worse, the defender can easily reach their leg around your body and poke the ball away.

Instead of turning your back, you need to stand sideways. This is called the "side-on shield." It is the best way to keep the ball, even when the defender is much bigger and stronger than you.

How to Build the Shield

To make a strong shield, you must use your whole body. Follow these four steps to lock the defender out:

• Turn Sideways: Put one shoulder facing the defender. Put your other shoulder facing the direction you want to go.
• Use Your Far Foot: Keep the ball on the foot that is farthest from the defender. If the defender is on your left side, the ball must be on your right foot.
• The "L-Arm": Bend your elbow and put your arm out toward the defender's chest. Do not grab them or push them. Just hold your arm firm. This acts like a guard rail. It keeps the defender exactly one arm-length away from the ball.
• Get Low and Heavy: Bend your knees and stick your hips out toward the defender. If you stand straight up, you are easy to knock over. When you bend your knees, you become heavy and hard to move.

If you do these four things, you create a giant space between the defender and the ball. The defender cannot reach the ball with their foot unless they trip you or push you. If they do that, the referee will blow the whistle and give your team a free kick.

Why This Keeps You in Control

The main reason to use this shield is vision.

When you stand completely backwards, you can only see your own goal. You have no idea where to pass. But when you stand sideways, you can see half of the field. You can easily glance over your front shoulder to see your teammates. You can see the open space. This makes it easy to pass the ball or roll away from the defender and run.

It also saves your energy. You do not need to fight the defender with muscles. You are using body angles instead. A small player using a side-on shield can easily hold off a player who is twice their size.

To practice this, ask a friend or parent to help you. Stand still in the side-on shield position with the ball on your far foot. Have them try to reach the ball without pushing you. Feel how your arm and your bent knees keep them away. As they try to move to one side, roll the ball with your foot to keep your body between them and the ball.

The next time you feel a defender on your back, do not panic. Turn sideways, get low, put your arm out, and keep the ball safe.