By Lawrence Fine, Author of the FineSoccer Coaching Bible.
Welcome to the Goalkeeping Newsletter. Today's featured activity works on positioning and shot blocking
Too often keepers are working on cutting off angles on stationary balls. While this is a good way to start to understand the concept it's quite limiting in that it's not the way most positioning is done in a real game.
Start with a keeper in goal, a server 30 yards out with balls, and a line of attackers on each side of the server.
The server starts by passing the ball in front of one of the two lines.
The first person in that line sprints to the ball and hits a first time shot. The keeper has to adjust his position accordingly and try to make the save.
As soon as the save is made (or the goal is scored) the keeper retreats and prepares for the next pass and shot.
The server should NOT rotate between the lines and instead should make the keeper play honestly and adjust accordingly.
If the ball is passed too far in front the keeper can decide to win the “through ball” instead of trying to save the shot
While I prefer for the attackers to play first time shots, if you want you can allow them to occasionally take an extra touch to further change the angle or to take a hard touch for a breakaway.
The key is to make sure the keeper realizes this isn't just a shot blocking activity but rather is constantly working on his positioning.
Have a great day
Lawrence
By Lawrence Fine, Author of the FineSoccer Coaching Bible.
