By Wayne Henderson -
The Idea behind this drill is to emphasize the importance of the goalkeeper catching the cross at its earliest and highest point.
Warm-Up
Up to 5 goalkeepers on the move, altogether within the 6 yard box either one of the coaches (if you have 2 coaches available) shouts the goalkeeper’s number; the keeper must get into position within the goal (slightly back from centre of the goal and a yard off the goal line. While maintaining an open body position, in order to see the feeder and almost the entire 18 yard box)
Once the goalkeeper is in position, all the other goalkeepers remain still and watch the working goalkeeper in order to avoid collisions. The feeder throws a lobbed feed into the central area for the working goalkeeper to collect.
Crossing Drill
Set up is as shown in Diagram 3. 1 feeder each side with footballs, 2 mannequins or poles, set up to separate the 6 yard box into 3 areas (front middle and back)
The coach throws the ball for the goalkeeper to come and catch alternately in front, middle and back areas.
Coaching Points
- Before the cross is struck the goalkeeper has an open body position as shown in Diagram 3.
- Assess the flight of the ball
- Attack the ball directly, and catch it at the highest point possible.
- Take off the correct foot (the foot nearest the goal line) – i.e. if the cross is coming from the right side (as in Diagram 4) the keeper would take of his/her right foot.
Progression
Feeders deliver crosses from the ground and the goalkeeper must react to the flight of the ball and decide which area it is possible to take the ball at its highest point.
Work from both sides.
By Wayne Henderson
