Shielding the Basketball
Shielding the Basketball
Children will learn how to shield the ball while they dribble it continuously so that they don't have to stop their dribble when approached by a defender.
Activity 1:
Basketball Shielding Technique
20 mins
Method:
- Mark out an area for your session
- Each player should have a basketball
- They should also have a hoop or a spot each too
- Players should bounce the ball in the hoop or on the spot continuously while scanning their surroundings by looking up
- When players are comfortably able to keep the ball bouncing in the hoop, demonstrate the shielding technique of placing your body between the ball and the tackler
- Then, as players continue to bounce the ball on the spot, the coach should go around pretending to tackle players. The players need to see the coach coming and place themselves between the coach and the ball to show they can shield
- Add in the technique of making their upper body big to further shield the ball
- Then choose some of the group (20% of the total in the group) to be tacklers
- Their job is to pretend to tackle the dribblers
- Swap these players frequently
- When players are proficient at this, take away their hoops/spots and allow players to dribble around the area, continue with 20% of the group as tacklers
Teaching Points:
Shielding
- Ensure you have good dribbling posture - knees bent, feet shoulder width apart, head up scanning
- When you see a tackler approach, quickly position your body between the tackler and the ball
- Use your upper body (non dribbling hand) to help shield the ball and allow you to quarter turn your body to be able to see both the ball and the tackler
Equipment:
- Spots / Hoops
- Basketballs
- Cones
Shielding v Coaches
Activity 2:
10 mins
Method:
Explain/Demonstrate the shielding technique you wish your participants to use
Mark out a large space that players must stay within. Enough space for your players to dribble freely
Each player should have a ball each
Players are to dribble around the area, keeping the ball under control
The coach (you can use participants also if you wish), should then move around the area toward different players - trying to get around to everyone in the group multiple times
When the coach approaches a player, they must use their body to get between the coach and the ball to stop the coach from accessing the ball
If the player successfully shields the ball, move on to the next player
If they don't, take the time to show them what they need to do differently to do it effectively
Keep moving around the group until you are happy that players are doing it well.
You can increase the number of participants that join you as a 'tackler' to increase the volume of shields that each player performs
Teaching Points:
Ensure that your posture is good when dribbling so that you can see opponents coming
When opponent approaches, place your body between the ball and the opponent to block their access, but ensure that you can still see the opponent and the ball by not closing off your body to the opponent completely
Bend your knees and stick your bum out to create a strong barrier around the ball, use your upper body to make yourself as big as possible to get around
DONT PANIC: Keep calm and keep the ball under control
Equipment:
Balls (whichever sport you are doing)
Activity 3:
King/Queen of the Ring
15 mins
Method:
Teaching Points:
- Shield the ball: Use your body as a blocker when a player tries to tackle you. Place your body between them and the ball and stand in a strong position so you can't be nudged out of the way easily.
- Use skill and dribbling speed to evade tackles
Equipment:
