INSPIRED, CONFIDENT & EFFECTIVE COACHING
Objective: to practice correct goalkeeper positioning.
Age group: U8 upwards.
Set up: Divide your squad into groups of four or five. Set up a goal on the end line of your playing area and mark a semi-circle around the goal. For seven-year-olds, I suggest it should be about ten yards from the goal. Put one player in goal and the rest standing next to different coloured cones (or bibs) positioned around the arc.
How to play: To begin with, have the cones fairly close together. You call out a colour and the player standing at that cone shoots. Make sure the ‘keeper moves to the right position (on a line between the ball and centre of the goal) before he has to make the save. If he or she is out of position, stop the game and show them where they should have been. Go through all the colours then change the ‘keeper.
Keep your players on their toes by calling out the colours quickly and randomly. For a bit of added fun, call out two colours!
Progression 1: Move the cones further apart and have at least one just off the end line.
Progression 2: Remove the cones. Now the players standing around the semi-circle pass a ball to each other. The goalkeeper has to move quickly to stay in the right position. The player with the ball shoots on your command. ‘Keepers save four or five shots before you rotate them out.
in Email newsletters, Soccer drills and skills
It is that time of year when coaches of all nationalities are drawn to the United States to gather together at the largest soccer convention in the world. And, yes, I will be in Chicago because this an unmissable event. I love to see all the coaches that I have come to know through SoccerCoachWeekly.net... MORE
in Attacking, Soccer drills and skills, Warm Ups
You can use this fun warm up to teach young players the basics of attacking and defending. Awareness of where players are and the ability to control, pass and stop the ball can all be coached with this drill. MORE
in Soccer drills and skills, Warm Ups
I was asked at training last week: “How do you warm a striker up?” The answer has to be: “The same as everyone else.” A striker has to control, pass and run with the ball. They will not be shooting the whole time, indeed they may only shoot once or twice in a game. I... MORE
in Midfield, Soccer drills and skills
Use this session to teach players the value of hard working midfielders. They can disrupt even the best passing teams by working in pairs to block any moves through midfield. MORE
in Email newsletters, Goalkeeping, Pre-season
As you head into the new season, it’s vital that your goalkeepers are as well-prepared for the challenge ahead as the rest of your squad – keepers often make the difference between success and failure, especially in the early stages of the season when your tactics are taking time to bed in. Remember that it’s... MORE
in Fun soccer games, Soccer drills and skills
If you use this session your players will improve their ability to switch play, to play with their heads up and it will speed up their decision making. MORE
