Shield and Support: 1-on-1 Plus a Helper
In groups of three, one player shields the ball from a defender while a teammate moves to offer support; play starts with the feet and then with a dribble. Students practice keeping the ball by shielding it and choosing the right moment to pass to the open support player.
How to play
- Mark 8 squares, 20 ft per side, with cones. Make groups of three (one group of four with two helpers): a ball carrier, a defender in a pinnie, and a helper who moves outside the square (2 min).
- Feet round: the ball carrier shields the futsal ball with their body turned sideways to the defender and can pass to the helper at any time; the helper returns it with one touch.
- Each completed give-and-go is 1 point. If the defender touches the ball or it leaves the square, roles switch. Play 45-second rounds and rotate roles (6 min).
- Dribble round: same game, but dribbling the basketball with the hand farther from the defender and the free arm protecting (6 min).
- Final round: the helper may enter the square, and groups play a free 2-on-1 for 2 minutes.
- Wrap-up for 2 minutes: what do shielding with the feet and with a dribble have in common?
Rules
- Shield with the body, without pushing with the arms or grabbing.
- The defender may not touch the ball carrier, only the ball.
- Safety: leave 10 ft between squares, and never enter another square to fetch a ball.
Variations
Easier
The defender may only touch the ball with one hand or foot and starts 3 ft away.
Standard
One on one with an outside helper and a give-and-go pass.
Harder
The helper must move to a different side of the square after each pass.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: a student in a wheelchair plays the dribble round with the ball on the lap, and the defender may only use one hand.
- Visual impairment: use a ball with bells in the feet round, and the helper claps to show where they are.
- Fitness level: play 30-second rounds, and students who need it always start as the helper.
Learning goals
- Shield the ball by keeping the body between the ball and the defender.
- Pass to the open helper at the right moment.
- Transfer ball shielding from the feet to the hands.
Equipment for a class of 25
- futsal balls: 9
- basketballs: 9
- cones: 32
- pinnies: 9
Teacher tip
The typical mistake is turning fully away from the defender and losing sight of the helper; ask for a sideways shield with the head up. Group students by similar ability.
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