Save long shots

This session is all about saving long shots and making sure any rebounds go safe. Long shots can cause problems if the goalkeeper drops the ball – lurking attacker only needs a sniff of the ball and it’ll be in the net.

Set up

Set up an area 40x20 yards with a normal sized goal at each end and a halfway line. We’ve used eight players in this session. You need bibs, balls, cones and two goals.

How to play it

Play starts with a throw from one goalkeeper to the other, who rolls the ball out to a player in his own half. The players can only shoot from their own half but the other two players will be waiting for the goalkeeper to slip up. Play a 4v4 including goalkeepers. The outfield players are 3v3.

Technique

Goalkeepers need to think about their position in relation to the ball, must be balanced and ready to either catch, deflect or parry the ball. You want them to push the ball to a safe area but they will often just save the ball so you need to see them recover quickly to smoother the second shot.