Shield, Spin, Finish

Race for a ball thrown into the middle, shield it, then turn and score in the goal the coach calls.

Practice 15 min 4 to 12 players Cage Half pitch 2016 to 2018

Win It, Keep It, Score Brave 1v1 Be brave Work hard

At a glance

Activity: A 10 m square, a goal 6 m out each side (red and blue), C at the side with the balls. C throws it in, two race, the first shields; on Red! or Blue! they turn and score.
Progress 1: C points at a goal instead of calling it, so both have to look up.
Progress 2: If the defender wins it, they score in the other goal.

Points

Body between the ball and the defender.
Low and side on, arm out to feel them, no pushing.
On the call, turn away from the defender and shoot early.

If it's not working: The defender shadows and blocks for the first few goes, no tackling.

first to it
defender
Ccoach
run
dribble
throw or roll
shot
1in this order

A 10 m square with the red goal on one side and the blue goal on the other. The coach throws the ball into the middle and both players race in; the first to it shields it inside the square. The coach calls Blue! and the shielder turns and scores in the blue goal, with the other player defending.

Full details: set up, how to play, tips and age tweaks

Set up

Mark a 10 m square. Put a goal 6 m out from the middle of one side and another 6 m out from the opposite side.
Two red discs on the corners nearest one goal (the red goal) and two blue discs nearest the other (the blue goal).
The coach (C) stands just outside the square, halfway between the goals, with the balls. Two players start on cones either side of the coach.
No keepers. A child goes in goal only if they'd like a go.

A 10 m square with a goal 6 m out on each side. Up to 6 a square; with 7 or more, two squares side by side.

How to play

C throws the ball into the middle of the square. Both players race in.
The first to it shields it: body between the ball and the other player, keeping it inside the square.
After a few seconds C calls Red! or Blue! The shielder turns and tries to score in that goal. The other player defends it.
The go ends with a goal, or when the defender wins it or it goes out. Both jog back, and the next pair goes.
Swap partners every few goes.

Keeping everyone moving

A go lasts about 10 seconds, so pairs are straight back in. With 7 or more, run two squares side by side and throw into each in turn.

Make it easier

The defender shadows and blocks for the first few goes, no tackling.
C calls the colour as soon as the ball's under control.
Bigger goals.

Make it harder, step by step

C points at a goal instead of calling it, so both have to look up to see it.
If the defender wins it, they score in the other goal.
C waits longer before the call, so the shielder holds it under pressure for longer.

Three things to say

Get your body between the ball and the defender.
Low and side on, arm out to feel where they are. No pushing.
On the call, turn away from the defender and shoot early.

Words that work: "Brilliant race to it!", "Strong shield, you held them off!", "Great turn, you went the moment you heard it!"

Colts habit

Be brave. Go in strong for the ball and hold it, even when they lean on you.

Both feet

Shield with the ball on the foot furthest from the defender, whichever foot that is.

Heads up

Glance at both goals while you shield, so you know which way you'll turn.

For your birth year

Pick a birth year to show the tweak for that group. Birth year

2018: An 8 m square, and C calls the colour as soon as the ball's under control.

Safety: Both start side by side and run the same way, never head on. Shoulder to shoulder only: no pushing, pulling or sliding. Clear spare balls out of the square.

Keeping score: Not counted. The aim is to win the race, hold it, and score on the call.