By Lawrence Fine, Author of the FineSoccer Coaching Bible.
Welcome to the Goalkeeping Newsletter. Today’s featured activity works on extension dives, confidence and range.
Start with two balls 8 yards apart. A keeper is 3 yards back from the middle of the balls.
With many keepers they struggle with the belief that they can extend and get to a ball in the corner. This activity is designed to help them realize it’s a lot more achievable than they might believe.
8 yards seems like a long distance to dive (and it is) but when the keeper steps toward the line the balls are on, they quickly realize they don’t have to dive 8 yards but at the most, it’s a 4 yard dive (difficult but much more doable).
With the keeper starting 3 yards back and taking a step and a short hop, they have momentum on their side and can push off and dive and reach either ball.
The keeper should do this 5 times to each ball
Next, have a server on each side holding the balls. They should hold the ball in a way so that the keeper can dive and take the ball out of their hands without diving into the server
The keeper does the exact same thing but now has to dive out and up to get to the ball
Do this 5 times to each ball with an emphasis on proper footwork and diving technique.
Most keepers will find that what they first thought would be extremely difficult is much more achievable than they originally thought.
[wpsharely id="821"][/wpsharely]Have a great day!
Lawrence
By Lawrence Fine, Author of the FineSoccer Coaching Bible.
