One of the hardest things in playing out from the back is to keep the ball away from attackers. It takes patience and the ability to move the ball to create space. This is where the goalkeeper becomes a vital member of the passing team, using his feet when receiving a backpass.
SET UP
Set up a 15×15-yard area. On two ends of the square, place about four spare balls. Here, we have used 10 players.
HOW TO PLAY
Play a 2v2 in the square with two keepers opposite each other outside it. The objective is for the goalkeepers to develop confidence in using their feet to support team- mates to retain possession in the defensive third of the pitch. As the activity progresses, pressure is applied to the goalkeepers. A keeper starts with a pass to one of the teams in the square. Points are awarded if a team completes five consecutive passes.
COACHING POINTS
Goalkeepers are frequently required to use their feet and keep the flow and pace of attack constant. Limiting keepers to two touches adds pressure and requires them to play quickly.
This session is all about movement around the goal so keepers have the best chance of reacting to danger. It forces shot stoppers to think about how they stand and the positions they MORE
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. MORE
I've made it my target as soon as we got back to training to get hold of a keeper... and I have found a great one. It can easily be overlooked when you are the manager of the team unless you have a plan worked out for pre-season that includes your goalkeeper. MORE
At the younger age groups I have always found it a difficult job filling the position of goalkeeper. I've done various things, put my own son in goal, had two goalkeepers so one half they play outfield the other in goal but were never subbed – it helped but didn't totally solve the problem. So what do you do? MORE
