By Lawrence Fine, Author of the FineSoccer Coaching Bible.
Welcome to the Goalkeeping Newsletter. Today’s featured activity works on distribution and decision making.
There are two parts of distribution that must be practiced on a regular basis, unfortunately, both tend to get ignored.
The first part is the technical side. Rolling balls with proper pace and to the proper spot. Longer throws so that they are easy for the receiving player to handle etc.
The second part is the decision making part. Who should the ball be played to and when.
This activity will work on the first part while also helping a bit on the second part.
Start with a keeper in goal and 5 players spread around the defensive half of the field. There should also be a server, with balls near the top of the D.
The server shoots on goal (this isn’t about trying to score but rather just forcing the keeper to concentrate on making the save) and the keeper makes the save.
As soon as the ball is saved, one of the players on the field indicates he is open (this might be by raising his hand, or making a run or any number of options but to demonstrate I’ll change that players jersey color) and the keeper distributes as quickly as he can to that player.
We don’t want this indication to be a verbal one because we want the keeper seeing the whole field and recognizing the situation.
Another variation is to have 4 opponents starting in the middle of the field.
As soon as the ball is played, each of the four opponents commit to one player.
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The keeper has to quickly find the open teammate and make the proper distribution
The opponents are trying to make it obvious who they are committing to in order to make the keeper make the decision.
There are many variations that can be done similar to these but the key is to help the keeper prepare for both the technical and the decision making part of distribution.
Have a great day!
Lawrence
By Lawrence Fine, Author of the FineSoccer Coaching Bible.
