
The keeper keeps it
in Goalkeeping
Teach your goalkeeper to play the ball out with their feet and start attacks from the back. By GWYNNE WILLIAMS MORE
There are times when a goalkeeper can’t catch a flighted ball, such as when the penalty box is crowded, so the next best option is to clear the ball as far away as possible. The two-fisted punch is the most effective way to do this.
Warm up | Session | Developments | Game Situation | Warm Down |
---|---|---|---|---|
10 minutes | 15 minutes | 15 minutes | 15 minutes | 5 minutes |
Goalkeeper and catcher position themselves approx 10m apart with a server between them. The server throws a ball to the ‘keeper, (who is on their knees) and the ‘keeper tries to punch the ball over the server’s head to the catcher.
Repeat for a few turns before switch roles so every player has a go at being the goalkeeper, server and catcher.
Repeat, but this time with the keeper standing rather than kneeling.
The goalkeeper punches the ball back over the server to the catcher.
Introduce a 4th player, a passive attacker, who stands next to the ‘keeper to distract them but doesn’t challenge.
Move the passive attacker in front of the ‘keeper, so the ‘keeper has to practise jumping to clear the ball when it is served over the attacker’s head.
Attacker increases pressure by moving and even jumping.
Now a passive attacker can obstruct the goalkeeper’s view.
Play 4v4 in a pitch approx 30x20m, plus 2 goalkeepers. 2 wide players operate outside the touchline playing for the team with the ball and are conditioned to provide high crosses from a variety of angles whenever possible.
Wide players have three touches (control, dribble, cross/pass) while goalkeepers have to decide what to do – eg. catch, punch, allow defenders to head – for each cross.
With play going through dedicated wide players the goalkeeper will get more opportunity to practice punching.